Anti-social incidents on Drogheda bus service raise ‘serious concerns'
SIPTU want to meet with the Gardaí to discuss the increase in incidents
Anti-social incidents on Bus Eireann's services in the Drogheda are have raised 'serious concerns', SIPTU have said.
Representatives from the union are set to meet management from Bus Éireann to discuss the 'adverse impact' of anti-social behaviour following a marked increase in issues, particularly at the town's main bus depot.
It comes after SIPTU members in the County Louth town raised concerns about the behaviour on late-night and early-morning services.
Stock photo
News in 90 Seconds - June 26th
'These incidents occur across services, but more specifically, there has been an issue resulting from gangs of youths preventing buses from leaving the depot, which has caused major delays,'
SIPTU Organiser, Andrew Quigley, said.
'Last week, SIPTU wrote to the company requesting that it convene a meeting with union representatives to discuss what measures must be taken to ensure the continued operation of these vital community transport services.
Mr Quigley added that while an agreement has been made to discuss the issue with management at the transport provider, they will be seeking to meet with the Gardaí.
'We will also be seeking a larger meeting of all the relevant stakeholders, including the Gardaí, service users and elected representatives.
'However, it is our members' firm belief that the issue of worsening anti-social behaviour and abuse on the public transport network necessitates the establishment of a transport policing service.'
Meanwhile, SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy, branded the issues as a 'crisis' as he called for a standalone transport police service.
'SIPTU has been calling for the introduction of such a service as part of our Respect Transport Workers campaign,' he said.
'The Government has accepted our case on this issue and included the creation of such a body in its Programme for Government. Our members stand ready to work with all stakeholders to make the creation of such a service a reality in as short a time frame as possible.'
Mr Murphy added that services must, and will continue, to operate in all communities as they try to resolve the issue.
'We believe the engagement with stakeholders to immediately bring greater safety for workers can be done in tandem with the work necessary to establish the foundations of the new transport policing service.'
Last month, Gardai carried out spot checks on Dublin Bus over the bank holiday weekend in a bid to reduce the number of anti-social behaviour incidents on the service.
In 2024, there were 1,054 incidents of anti-social behaviour on Dublin Bus reported, more than doubling since 2019.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tributes pour for young man killed after being deliberately run down in Ballymun
A young man died after being deliberately run down by a car in the early hours of Saturday morning in what is believed to be part of a vicious gangland feud. Kevin Kelly, who was in his early 20s, was killed instantly after he was struck by the vehicle on Balbutcher Lane in Ballymun, North Dublin. It is understood there is an ongoing feud in the area between two gangs which are made up of mostly young men in their early twenties. Gardaí and emergency services arrived on Balbutcher Lane around 5am and Mr Kelly was pronounced dead at the scene. The road was closed afterwards and technical examinations were carried out by garda forensic experts. Kevin Kelly was well known in the area and is believed to have been aligned with one group which was feuding with another gang. Local Fianna Fail Councillor Keith Connolly described the incident as a tragedy and added that the deceased man's home had been attacked during the week. He said: 'As far as I know this wasn't an accident…his house was targeted during the week. There is complete shock in the area and anyone who has any information should contact An Garda Siochana. 'My sincere condolences to his family and friends, this was a terrible thing to happen. We have a meeting on Monday with the Guards and I'm sure they will have an update then.' It is understood that the feud involves one gang based around the Poppintree area of Ballymun and another in Shangan. Social Democrat Councillor Mary Callaghan said the entire community is in shock. She said: 'It is a tragic loss and the whole community is feeling it. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kevin's family and friends at this very difficult time.' Pals of Mr Kelly took to social media to pay tribute to him and condemn those who may have been responsible for his death. One friend stated on Facebook: 'Rip my little friend, too good for this life kiddo gonna miss you terribly. 'Always a smile on the worst days, always after an owl spud some memories with you bro around me since you're a baby. Better be with the boys watching over us all.' Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to come forward. In particular, they are looking to speak with people who were in the Balbutcher Lane and Balcurris Park areas, between 4am and 5am, including those with camera or dash-cam footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station at 01 6664400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. This is the second man to die this week after being deliberately run down by a car. Mircea Rostas, 33, was pronounced dead at the scene on Railway Street, Balbriggan last Monday night after being hit by a car. A man has since appeared in court in connection with the incident. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Sunday World
4 hours ago
- Sunday World
Australian 'Beauty and the Geek' star accused of murdering and beheading boyfriend
Police who responded to reports of a small fire at the home she shared with Julian Daniel Story found his dismembered body on the bathroom floor Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser has been charged with the murder of Julian Story. Picture: Facebook Former Beauty and the Geek star Tamika Chesser was 'in a mental psychosis' her sister has said, after the 34-year-old was charged with the grisly murder of her boyfriend in Australia. Police who responded to reports of a small fire at the home she shared with Julian Daniel Story found his dismembered body that was missing his head on the bathroom floor of the apartment. Chesser who was arrested at the scene in Port Lincoln, Adelaide and charged with murder, is currently being held in James Nash House, a mental health facility. The reality star's sister, Kiya-May Chesser, told Daily Mail Australia: 'Please report how my sister is in a mental psychosis. 'This is not her. She would never do these things.' Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser has been charged with the murder of Julian Story. Picture: Facebook News in 90 Seconds - June 28th According to Kiya-May, Chesser had experienced a life of trauma and abuse that had 'fried her brain'. Kiya-May said 'a lot had happened' in Chesser's life since she appeared on Beauty and the Geek and 'she's become very mentally ill' over the last five years, 'This is a loss not only for Julian's family but ours too,' she added In addition to the murder charge, Chesser, who was seen walking her dogs on the street in the wake of the killing, was also charged with assaulting police. Another charge involves 'knowingly performing an act or omission intending to result in human remains being less likely to be found for the purposes of concealing the commission of an offence relating to the human remains', court documents state. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke, speaking with reporters on Friday afternoon, said the former reality TV star had dismembered Mr Story's body and removed his head. 'We know that after his alleged murder, Julian's body was dismembered and while I won't provide any further detail about that at this time, I can tragically say that we have not recovered the head of Julian Story,' he said. 'I can only imagine, and I want you to imagine, the grief this news is causing Julian's family. 'We have spoken with Julian's family, who are devastated by his loss and the circumstances surrounding his death.' Officers are appealing to the public for help in tracking Chesser's movements In an effort to find Mr Story's head. 'We know that Tamika did not drive a vehicle and regularly walked around the township of Port Lincoln,' Det Fielke said. A spokesperson for Mr Story's family said they were 'navigating an unimaginable loss' as they thanked police and first responders for their 'compassion and professionalism during this devastating time'. 'Your care has brought comfort amid the chaos,' the spokesperson said. 'We are also deeply grateful to our family and friends and this extraordinary community whose kindness and support have helped carry us through. 'Your prayers, presence, and quiet strength mean more than words can say.' A neighbour who noticed black smoke coming from the property about 1.30pm on June 19 said Chesser was outside taking her dogs for a walk. The neighbour took a bucket of water over to the home, entering through the back door, documents state. A second witness called emergency services, the documents state. 'He states he arrived home about 2 or 3pm and saw smoke coming from Unit 3,' the statement reads. 'He went out the back and spoke with witness 1 or told him he had extinguished a fire in the bathroom of the unit. 'The accused had returned from her walk and was now sitting in the communal garden of the units at the rear of unit 3. 'Witness 1 called emergency services and Ambulance staff were first to arrive.' The police entered the unit bathroom and sighted the 'severely burned and disfigured' remains of Mr Story, the documents also state. 'Police exited the premises and requested more resources. 'The accused was seated in a garden chair in the rear yard adjacent to Unit 3 in a catatonic and unresponsive state at this time. Chesser was the runner-up on the 2010 season of Beauty and the Geek and later modelled for men's magazines including Playboy, Ralph and FHM. The identities of Ms Chesser, 34, and Mr Story, 39, were initially suppressed in a court order as investigators processed what they referred to as a 'complex' crime scene. After Chesser appeared in court via a video link from James Nash House, a mental health facility on Friday, Magistrate Ben Sale lifted the suppression, allowing Ms Chesser's image and name to be made public. She has been refused bail and a committal hearing has been scheduled for December.
Sunday World
8 hours ago
- Sunday World
Female garda has lucky escape as man ‘pulls knife' on officers
The man, who is originally from Dublin, was later charged in connection to the incident and appeared at a special court sitting in Longford the following day. A female garda had a lucky escape when she was 'shouldered to the ground' and assaulted in a midlands village after a man officers had been searching for in connection to a criminal damage investigation 'pulled a knife' on gardaí. The man, who is in his mid 40s, had been wanted by detectives over damage that had been caused to a car in the Market Square area of Longford town last Friday (June 20). Those investigations had resulted in the speedy identification of the suspect. Garda stock image. News in 90 Seconds - June 28th When officers called to the property in Ballinalee the following day, a struggle broke out as gardaí attempted to execute the man's arrest. It was during those attempts that a female and well-respected garda was allegedly assaulted. 'He was later identified and on the Saturday they went to arrest him,' a source told the Irish Independent. 'He pulled a knife on the gardai (and) was arrested.' Sources have confirmed the well-regarded officer was shouldered, causing her to fall to the ground where she is believed to have also sustained one or possibly more kicks into the body. It's understood the knife involved was a 12 inch carving knife, which sources say was produced inside the property and not outside when the man was ultimately led away by arresting gardaí. "He produced the knife and closed the door on them (officers) who managed to then handcuff and arrest him. While the knife was produced, the man didn't attack the two officers with it.' The man, who is originally from Dublin, was later charged in connection to the incident and appeared at a special court sitting in Longford the following day. The Irish Independent understands the young officer did not sustain any serious injuries and has remained on active frontline duty since. He was subsequently refused bail and remanded in custody ahead of a further, scheduled court appearance on July 8. Details surrounding the incident comes amid a heightened and renewed spotlight on the dangers facing rank and file gardaí. Earlier this week, a garda suffered significant wounds to his fingers when he was stabbed in the hand after officers responded to a break-in at a pub in Blanchardstown on Wednesday evening. That incident, together with its Longford equivalent has led to calls for greater resources to be deployed in order to assist already over-stretched gardaí on a daily basis. "It's down to numbers and manpower, this is what it's about,' said Roscommon-Longford Garda Representative Association representative Keith Maher. 'There's not enough members and that's compromsing safety and you have to do the same amount (of work) with less people.' Longford-Westmeath Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy, meanwhile, described the latest episodes involving assaults on gardaí as 'totally unacceptable' and ones which required a strong hand from the judiciary. 'Gardaí do an excellent job and anything like this is totally unacceptable,' he said. "The strongest rigours of the law needs to be thrown at anyone in any attempts to assault gardaí carrying out their duty on behalf of citizens.'
