The level of anti-social behaviour on Ireland’s trains surged by over 50% last year.

There were nearly 1,000 incidents reported – including 110 assaults and 562 incidents of aggressive behaviour.

The list includes assaults, fights, muggings, theft, attacks on staff and lewd behaviour.

Heuston Station. Image: Emma Tyrell/Newstalk

These people at Connolly Station in Dublin told Newstalk that travelling on the train can be intimidating.

“You just feel like something is about to kick off sometimes, you know,” said one.

“It hasn’t led to that yet but I feel like in time it could.

“I think there is stuff that happens at the other end of the train and then I keep to myself just in case,” said another.

“Compared to Europe, I would say Dublin’s public transportation is more dangerous I would say.”

Heuston Station. Image: Emma Tyrell/Newstalk

In all, there was a 54% increase in anti-social behaviour compared to last year, according to Irish Rail figures.

The company says there is now a lot more people using the network.

Irish Rail spokesperson Barry Kenny told Newstalk the number of passenger journeys increased by around 10 million last year.

“We have a lot more people travelling with us obviously in 2023 and we have a lot more patrolling and policing,” he said.

“I think that means we are recording and capturing the true scale of anti-social behaviour more effectively than we have before.

“We do more joint patrols with the Gardaí than we ever have. We have over recent years more than doubled our spend on security.”

Irish Rail added additional service on several routes at the end of 2022 – including Newbridge to Heuston, Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock and several West of Ireland routes.