Concerns have been raised over an increased number of assaults on Dublin City Council workers, SIPTU representatives have said.

Following a recent attack on a caretaker in the North Inner City, the Union are calling for action to safeguard DCC workers from physical assaults.

“There has been a marked rise in assaults on our members in recent times,” SIPTU Organiser Jay Power said.

“The most recent incident was an unprovoked attack on a caretaker in the Ballybough area of the North Inner City on January 9th.

“The worker involved is a 61-year-old grandfather with 28 years of service with the City Council.

“He was left with cuts and bruises following the physical attack while he carried out his duties in a flats complex.”

"More frequent occurrence"

Mr Power said the Gardaí were called to the incident but did not arrive and the worker only escaped more serious injury due to the intervention of a colleague.

“Unfortunately, such attacks are becoming a more frequent occurrence for many workers and it was not the first time that this individual has suffered an assault,” he said.

The caretaker, who does not wish to be named, said that most people do not realise the effects “such attacks” have on the employee and their families.

“It can change your entire personality, where you once viewed people in a friendly open manner, now you view them with suspicion and anxiety,” he said.

“It takes a long time to regain your confidence after such an incident.

“When you no longer have a visible injury, people assume you are ok and should just get on with it.

“However, it changes you, when you hear footsteps coming up behind you, you become anxious, and in some cases anti-social, as it changes your perception of people and their actions.”

"Cowardly attacks"

SIPTU Dublin City Council Convenor Pat McCormack said that public services are an essential element of a fair and decent society and he condemns these “unwarranted attacks”.

“These cowardly attacks need to be addressed,” he said.

“Staff going about their daily jobs should not have to do so in fear.”

SIPTU is highlighting the need for vigilance and proactive management responses to protect public sector, and wider services industries, workers who may be vulnerable to work-related assaults, Mr Power added.

“Dublin City Council workers supply essential services to residents of the city,” he said.

“Our members need to be able to go to work without fear.”

Mr Power said it is a “shocking indictment of where we are as a society” that workers are in fear going to work.

Dublin City Council offices on Wood Quay. Photo: PA