Latest news with #RespectTransportWorkers
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
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.
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Threats of violence could trigger suspension of bus services in Limerick, union warns
Siptu organiser Andrew Quigley said he received numerous reports of increased levels of anti-social behaviour on Bus Éireann's route 303 service in recent days. The incidents include young people throwing stones at bus windows and workers being subjected to verbal abuse and threats of violence. Mr Quigley claimed some incidents are not being reported due to delayed responses from gardaí as a result of high levels of demand on their resources. 'Our members are raising serious concerns about their safety and well-being while operating this route,' he said. He called on Bus Éireann to hold meetings with all stakeholders, including trade unions, the local authority and gardaí, to work on eliminating the threat to passengers and workers. Siptu has written to the company to request an urgent meeting to discuss the incidents. Mr Quigley said there was serious damage to buses and endangerment of workers in recent days. 'If action is not taken to deal with what is a long term and recurring issue on this route then our members will be forced to suspend services,' he said. 'This is something they do not wish to do as they fully understand the detrimental impact which it has on the local community.' Siptu sector organiser John Murphy said the solution to a crisis of anti-social behaviour on the public transport network is the creation of a standalone transport policing service. The union has called for the introduction of this service as part of a Respect Transport Workers campaign. Mr Murphy said the Government has included this objective in its Programme for Government. 'Our members stand ready to work with all stakeholders to make the creation of such as service a reality in as short a time frame as possible,' he said. 'However, prior to this goal being achieved services must continue to operate in all communities. 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.'
Dublin Live
12-05-2025
- Dublin Live
Luas driver's lucky escape after projectile fired at him
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Siptu wants an urgent meeting with the Government over rising violent antisocial behaviour on the transport network. It is also calling on Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien to follow through on a Fianna Fail commitment to establish a dedicated transport policing service. It comes after a recent incident in which a Luas driver was lucky to escape injury when a "projectile fired at high power" towards him impacted his cab window in the Tallaght area of South Dublin. Siptu transport sector organiser John Murphy said: "We have written to the minister twice in recent months seeking a meeting, this has yet to occur. "Fianna Fail has committed to the establishment of a transport policing service and this must be actioned as a matter of urgency. In the last two weeks, we have seen two very serious incidents on the public transport network in Dublin involving our members. "A Dublin Bus driver [was] threatened at gunpoint in Mountjoy Square in the north inner-city and a projectile [was] fired at high power, hitting a Luas Driver's cab in the Tallaght area. "Both of these incidents could potentially have resulted in serious injury or worse to workers or passengers. "Siptu's Respect Transport Workers campaign has been instrumental in bringing this unacceptable behaviour to national attention. Immediate action must be taken by the Government and the National Transport Authority to put the necessary resources into protecting staff, passengers and the vital services that our communities depend on daily." It is understood the incident took place at the Cookstown Luas stop in Tallaght on May 1. Luas drivers' safety representative Marc Winters, who has been highlighting the need for a public transport police service since 2010, said the latest attack is just one of many. He added: "This is not an isolated incident of antisocial behaviour or threats to drivers. Drivers already have a very stressful job and they're concerned that not enough is being done to protect them. "Recently, drivers have been confronted at toilet facilities based at the end of line. In another recent incident, a male performed a sex act behind a female driver as she drove her tram." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Irish Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Warning issued over rising violence after Luas tram attack in Tallaght
Siptu wants an urgent meeting with the Government over rising violent antisocial behaviour on the transport network. It is also calling on Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien to follow through on a Fianna Fail commitment to establish a dedicated transport policing service. It comes after a recent incident in which a Luas driver was lucky to escape injury when a 'projectile fired at high power' towards him impacted his cab window in the Tallaght area of South Dublin. Siptu transport sector organiser John Murphy said: 'We have written to the minister twice in recent months seeking a meeting, this has yet to occur. 'Fianna Fail has committed to the establishment of a transport policing service and this must be actioned as a matter of urgency. In the last two weeks, we have seen two very serious incidents on the public transport network in Dublin involving our members. 'A Dublin Bus driver [was] threatened at gunpoint in Mountjoy Square in the north inner-city and a projectile [was] fired at high power, hitting a Luas Driver's cab in the Tallaght area. 'Both of these incidents could potentially have resulted in serious injury or worse to workers or passengers. 'Siptu's Respect Transport Workers campaign has been instrumental in bringing this unacceptable behaviour to national attention. Immediate action must be taken by the Government and the National Transport Authority to put the necessary resources into protecting staff, passengers and the vital services that our communities depend on daily.' It is understood the incident took place at the Cookstown Luas stop in Tallaght on May 1. Luas drivers' safety representative Marc Winters, who has been highlighting the need for a public transport police service since 2010, said the latest attack is just one of many. He added: 'This is not an isolated incident of antisocial behaviour or threats to drivers. Drivers already have a very stressful job and they're concerned that not enough is being done to protect them. 'Recently, drivers have been confronted at toilet facilities based at the end of line. In another recent incident, a male performed a sex act behind a female driver as she drove her tram.'
Sunday World
10-05-2025
- Sunday World
Luas damaged by ‘projectile fired at high power' in latest attack on transport workers
The driver's cab window was damaged in the incident that could have caused 'serious injury or worse', SIPTU representatives have claimed The damage to the tram is clearly visable The damage to the tram is clearly visable There have been calls for action after this latest incident There have been renewed calls for a dedicated transport police force after a Luas tram was hit by a 'projectile fired at high power' in the Tallaght area. The driver's cab window was damaged in the incident that could have caused 'serious injury or worse', SIPTU representatives have claimed. Pictures show a jagged round impact mark in the glass window of the tram that occurred just weeks after a Dublin Bus driver was threatened at gun point. SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said they were seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, to discuss recent serious incidents of anti-social behaviour on the public transport network. 'We have written to the Minister twice in recent months seeking a meeting, this has yet to occur,' Mr Murphy said. The damage to the tram is clearly visable 'Fianna Fáil has committed to the establishment of a transport policing service and this must be actioned as a matter of urgency. 'In the last two weeks we have seen two very serious incidents on the public transport network in Dublin involving our members. 'A Dublin Bus driver threatened at gun point in Mountjoy Square in the north inner-city and a projectile fired at high power hitting a Luas Driver's cab in the Tallaght area. 'Both of these incidents could potentially have resulted in serious injury or worse to workers or passengers.' Last month the union said it welcomed Dublin Bus support for a transport police force but said they would not return to Mountjoy Square following an incident involving a 'gun'. Dublin Bus representative and National Executive Council member, Stephen Millane, was speaking after management announced that it would support the establishment of a dedicated transport policing service 'The need for a transport policing service based on international best practice is a very real one,' Mr Millane said. 'We look forward to working with all stakeholders to make it a reality in as short a timeframe as possible.' Dublin Bus services were withdrawn from the Mountjoy Square area of the city after a bus driver was threatened by a man who was holding what appeared to be a gun. The incident happened on a Friday night on a Route 13 bus parked at Mountjoy Square as it waited to begin a journey. There have been calls for action after this latest incident News in 90 seconds - 10th May 2025 Mr Murphy said SIPTU's Respect Transport Workers campaign had been instrumental in bringing 'this unacceptable behaviour to national attention'. 'Immediate action must be taken by the Government and the National Transport Authority to put the necessary resources into protecting staff, passengers and the vital services that our communities depend on daily,' Mr Murphy added. SIPTU's Respect Transport Workers campaign recently launched its next phase, which they said, includes a short survey for members of the travelling public to take concerning safety on the public transport network.
