Five bus drivers allegedly assaulted as Garda…

Five bus drivers allegedly assaulted as Garda Commissioner says 'no plans' for transport police

There were five bus drivers assaulted recently it has emerged as the Garda Commissioner ruled out plans for a dedicated transport police.

But a retired senior garda said the Government must “seriously consider” a dedicated transport police. Former Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy believes bus and rail passengers need protection from the rising tide of anti-social behaviour.

Last week a man was attacked on Dublin Bus while unions said several drivers have been hospitalised by thugs. That came just weeks before later pub openings and updated extended night-time bus services are expected to approved through the new Sale of Alcohol Bill.

Mr Leahy added: “It is something that we need to seriously consider. Problems have been going on for a long time. There have been countless stories of situations occurring on the network.

"We have to change with the times. We have to provide a safe environment. I’m 100% sure the guards would not have the resources to put in place a dedicated unit to manage the transport system from a security perspective.

“We need to recruit people to do this and whether you align them with An Garda Siochana or bring in private security. My own choice would be for a transport police with the same powers as An Garda Siochana but adopting a community approach and enforcing the law.

Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy speaking to media at the Department of Justice , Dublin (Collins)

“From a climate change perspective, there is a move towards getting out of cars and getting into the public transport system. We have to change with the times and we have to provide a safe environment for people, if they choose to use it or just to encourage them to use it.”

However, the Department of Justice and An Garda Siochana yesterday ruled out a dedicated transport unit. Mark Sheehan, 26, suffered facial injuries in an attack last Sunday. It is alleged he was targeted with vile homophobic abuse before being head butted on a bus.

Five bus drivers were also assaulted recently, according to the National Bus & Rail Union yesterday. Its general secretary Dermot O’Leary said: “This is happening across the country. We do not have to put up with thuggery.”

The NBRU revealed one driver allegedly was assaulted at Dublin Airport when he asked a motorist to move an illegally parked car. Former Dublin Lord Mayor, Cllr Nial Ring revealed he was also threatened and “verbally attacked” recently on a Dublin Bus – but is concerned a public transport unit would “not be the best use of Garda resources”.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris wants more officers and on Monday said the aim announced in 2016 to boost the force to 15,000 members must be revised upwards. Current strength stands at 14,690 members, plus an 3,000 support staff. This equates to 293 officers for every 100,000 citizens.

Fianna Fail’s justice spokesman Jim O’Callaghan said his party favours a transport unit. He told RTE Radio 1’s Today Show: “At present, when you’re on public transport, one thing you know for certain is that you’re not going to encounter a member of An Garda Siochana on the bus or on the train or on the Luas.”

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (Colin Keegan/Collins)

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said that there are no plans for a dedicated transport police force at this time. He said: “We are opening up a dedicated centre at Heuston station so we’ll have a direct link then to transport authorities around incidents and therefore be able to respond quicker.

“And at the same time we are engaged in proactive work. So a specific transport unit is not being considered at this time, but we are managing this through specific operations, targeted operations and dedicated resources towards that.”

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