GARDAÍ WILL BE patrolling Dart and Luas lines in Dublin and intercity routes across the country today in a bid to prevent anti-social behaviour.

The move is part of a joint operation from An Garda Síochana, Iarnród Éireann, Transdev Ireland and the National Transport Authority (NTA), to improve safety on public transport – an issue which has become a talking point in recent months.

The public engagement campaign, called operation ‘Twin Tracks’, will see a garda presence on red and green Luas lines and across all Dart services in Dublin.

Intercity routes will be patrolled in counties Mayo, Roscommon, Longford, Galway, Sligo, Leitrim, Kildare, Carlow, Wicklow, Wexford, Limerick, Tipperary and Cork.

There will also be stands at  intercity and Dublin City stations where Gardaí will offer advice on how to prevent crime on public transport.

‘Serious concern’

In August, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said anti-social behaviour on public transport is a “matter of serious concern”.

O’Brien and Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan are currently working on introducing legislation to create a uniformed, security transport unit to increase public safety.

The union for public transport workers called for specially trained social care officers to work alongside these transport police as they said transport staff encounter vulnerable people everyday who have “nowhere else to go”.

Speaking on the move, Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries, Garda National Community Engagement said, “An Garda Síochána, as part of Operation Twin Tracks, encourages and supports this ongoing opportunity to engage positively with the users of public transport, Iarnród Éireann, Transdev Ireland and the NTA.”

“This engagement day affords An Garda Síochána the opportunity to maintain a visible presence on board these services while encouraging security and safety on board while preventing and detecting anti-social behaviour.”

Intercity routes impacted include:

• Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division,

• Galway Division,

• Sligo/Leitrim and Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Divisions,

• Kildare/Carlow Division,

• Wicklow/Wexford Division,

• Limerick and Tipperary Divisions,

• Cork City, North and West Divisions (two routes).