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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Robbie Kane & Emma Nevin

Majority of Dubliners don't feel safe on public transport, particularly at night

The safety of the city's public transport system has become a hot topic in recent days after one commuter told her story of being "kicked and abused" by a group of teenagers on the Luas.

Aanchal Mohtra, 26, was on her way home on the Green Line when she was physically and verbally assaulted by three girls on the evening of January 10. Since Ms Mohtra shared her story, there have been calls from Government TDs for stronger garda presence at Luas stops over "frequent anti-social behaviour".

Last week, Dublin Live ran a poll on our website asking commuters if they feel safe on the city's public transport system. Out of 298 respondents, only 47 said they felt safe while 251 concluded they do not.

Read more: Woman 'kicked and abused' by group of teens on Luas

We took to the streets of the capital this week to ask Dubliners to give their thoughts on the issue. Many told us they feel fine during the day but the feeling changes once the sun goes down.

"During the day it's okay but at night with so many people going out to pubs and sometimes they come on drunk...I feel a little bit unsafe," one commuter explained.

"Teenagers are playing with each other but sometimes they are bothering other people. We used to live in Rialto and always took the Luas and occasionally coming back from the city centre there were some drunk people making a mess.

"But the Luas service, the guys who work for Luas are always there to help and they are awesome."

A woman told us: "Sometimes, I think it depends where you go in Dublin. One time on the Luas out near Tallaght a couple of lads got on fighting each other so it was a bit scary but most of the time it's been okay."

Another commuter said he does feel safe on Dublin's public transport: "I do feel safe. I come in from Drogheda and I use public transport the whole way out to Tallaght and James' regularly. I've never had any issues at all."

One man said he has experienced teenagers being intimidated but said if you stand your ground it's "safe enough". He explained: : "I do feel safe on the Luas and public transport in Dublin, specifically only in the mornings and evenings. But when the sun goes down and the Luas and buses aren't that full anymore, it starts getting very empty and there's only a couple of people on the bus, maybe a gang of teenagers.

"It does get a bit scarier but I feel as long as you keep your stature and you act confident, even if you're not, it's safe enough. I've had an issue where gangs of teenagers stay outside the stations and act intimidating and come up to you and start pressuring you.

"They might ask you for your shoes or something but they're asking you in a joking way to see if you're going to say yes or no. But yeah, I do feel safe."

Another woman said: "No I wouldn't (feel safe). It's too dangerous because you feel afraid of the teenagers. I've witnessed them annoying people and you can't say anything or get involved because you'd be afraid they'd attack you."

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