Iarnród Éireann has apologised to rail passengers who have been subjected to anti-social behaviour on trains and the company is to take a number of measures to counteract such behaviour in the future.
The initiatives are being put in place to improve personal security and include CCTV, help points on train carriages and in stations, a dedicated phone line for the reporting and monitoring of incidents of anti-social behaviour, the deployment of security personnel at main stations, and further training for train staff to enable them deal with such incidents.
Mayo Fine Gael Deputy John O’Mahony was informed of the measures after lodging a complaint with Irish Rail about anti-social behaviour on the Mayo to Dublin train service during a weekend of concerts in Dublin recently.
Dep O’Mahony has welcomed the forthcoming initiatives which were highlighted to him by chief executive of Iarnród Éireann, Richard Fearn.
Mr Fearn apologised to Dep O’Mahony for the “discomfort that some of our customers have experienced” and he has stated that the company is committed to addressing anti-social behaviour on its services.
According to the rail chief the situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis and appropriate action will be taken should it be required, including the removal of disruptive customers from trains and stations.
Dep O’Mahony has welcomed this move saying: “It’s important that people feel safe when they are using our trains and I only raised this issue recently on foot of a number of representations from constituents. Many will be relieved to hear about plans by Iarnród Éireann to deal with the issue. Irish people, particularly those who live in rural areas, have a great affinity with the rail service and it would be a real shame if they felt unable to use it because of the fear of anti-social behaviour. These moves by Iarnród Éireann should help to allay fears of those who travel by train,” he said.
