A stronger Garda presence and extra CCTV monitoring are needed at Luas stops throughout Dublin, according to a Fine Gael Minister of State.
Minister for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan makes the call in response to a number of violent public order incidents and "frequent anti-social behaviour" at and around Luas stops in Dublin.
Last week, video footage circulated widely on social media showing, what Minister Madigan described as, a "very violent fight" at Balally Luas stop in Dundrum.
The Dublin Rathdown TD said: “This kind of appalling violence, which took place in the open with other passengers and children around, cannot be tolerated."
“People have a right to feel safe and secure going about their daily commute."
This, she says, is not an isolated incident.
"Many constituents have also raised with me what they see as increasing anti-social behaviour at Luas stops throughout the city", she said.
“I would like to see Gardaí increasingly focusing their patrols on Luas stops to prevent them becoming a hub for anti-social behaviour."
Budget 2023 included intentions to recruit an additional 1,000 Gardaí, as well as an extra 430 civilian staff who will help free up more Gardaí for frontline duties.
“It is vital that some of these additional Gardaí be used to increase security at and around Luas stops in Dublin", Minister Madigan continued.
“People have a right to feel safe and secure going about their daily commute. We need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to this kind of unacceptable behaviour."
Law and Order
Last month, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the government is doing 'everything it can' to support Gardaí and improve law and order across the country.
In tandem with increased recruitment, the government plans to roll out body cams to protect Gardaí and finally reopen O'Connell Street's Garda Station - all measures, he says, will reduce crime.
The new Garda station on O'Connell St is due to open in March or April, he said, which will be a "more permanent [Garda] presence in that part of the city".
Justice Minister Helen McEntee previously said that the new station would tackle anti-social behaviour and drug-dealing in the city centre.
The move comes four years after the old O’Connell St Garda Station was shut down and has been welcomed by other local representatives and Dublin Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland.
