Violent incidents at Dublin Airport, and elsewhere on public transport, show the need for a dedicated transport police unit in the gardaí, according to James Lawless, Dáil justice committee chairman.
In an interview on Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Lawless said that our public spaces have become places where members of the public no longer feel safe. He says drinking and taking drugs on public transport during the day time hours is becoming more common.
“It is becoming more commonplace. I have seen it. During Covid when people were off the train and off the trams I think most law abiding citizens stayed at home and perhaps the less law abiding citizens had free rein and expanded to those places.
“I think it left them feeling enabled because they had a free run for a couple of years. Dublin isn’t unique in this. I was in New York after restrictions were lifted and they are having the same experiences on their subway where they are finding it really hard to retake their subway.
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“But they have a very significant police force underground and in the stations. But they also have more serious assaults that we haven’t yet got to that although I have seen in Dublin Airport with the brawl and I have seen incidents like that on other transport. I have always thought we needed it (a dedicated transport police force).”
Mr Lawless said our public transport links have lost ticket collectors and extra drivers and staff need “proper backup” as they go about their work.
The Fianna Fáil TD acknowledges that in some cases private security firms are employed to protect the public. However, he maintains that the public should be served by a dedicated transport police force who are accountable, and have training and powers of arrest.
“I commend those individuals who serve in a (private) security role. They are quite formidable. I don’t think anyone would mess with them. They are effective when they are there. Our citizens should be served by a force who are accountable, who have the training and powers of arrest.”
The Kildare North TD said if we were to introduce transport police they would need not to be seen as “moveable units” who could be redeployed in different roles.
Mr Lawless travels on a frequent basis on trains and buses and the Luas services in Dublin. He adds that the anti social behaviour is often happening at 3pm and not late in to the night.
“Many people say they have seen people intoxicated on public transport. I am not talking about the Nitelink on the way home at 3am. I am talking about 3pm in the day.”