Fresh calls have been made by The National Bus and Rail Union for a dedicated policing unit on public transport following a rise in anit-social behaviour.
According to RTE News, the call which comes as part of the NBRU’s enough is enough campaign has led to the Union’s General Secretary Dermot O’Leary to submit a request to the Minister for Transport Shane Ross and the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe for a dedicated public transport policing division within the An Garda Siochona.
Speaking to RTE’s Today with Sean O’Rourke programme, Mr O’Leary said a need for a specialist policing unit is greater than ever as recent figures have shown that a total of 57 public transport workers have been assaulted over the past three years.
Meanwhile a high number of staff have been verbally abused on daily basis, which Mr O’Leary has described as completely unacceptable.
Mr O’Leary said he believes a system similar to that used in London would cut down on anti-social behaviour on public transport.