A new transport police will need powers of arrest if it is to have any “sense of credibility”, the Labour Party has said. 

Over the weekend, Tánaiste Micheál Martin told the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis the Government hoped to establish a Transport Garda Unit, amid a surge of concern about crime and anti-social behaviour on buses and trains across the country. 

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said his party had been calling for such a unit “for about 10 years”. 

“As we encourage more and more people to use public transport, we want people to feel safe on public transport,” he said. 

“I know in Dublin, I know the DART line would be something that does come up in conversation with constituents that they don’t feel safe. 

“There are issues around individual stations that aren’t manned; that leads to issues around anti-social behaviour, lifts being broken - I’m thinking particularly of Clongriffin. 

“In transit, particularly late at night, if we want people to feel safe… you’re going to need a presence and I would suggest a Garda presence, not necessarily a private security firm but a branch of An Garda Síochána, so there’s no ambiguity as to their powers, powers of arrest and I think that would make people feel an awful lot more secure.” 

A Garda boards a Luas tram in Dublin in February 2021. Image: Gardaí/Twitter

In its Climate Action Plan in 2021, the Government set out targets to cut emissions from transport by 50% and increased public transport usage is an integral part of the plan. 

Deputy Ó Ríordáin said if this is to be achieved, then anti-social behaviour is “going to have to be addressed”. 

“Having a Garda force there, or police force, or security force there that have recognition from the public and also a sense of credibility with the public is going to be key,” he said. 

A Garda on duty in Dublin city centre, with a moving Luas in the background, in December 2019. Picture by: Wirestock, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo

A private security firm currently operates on the Luas but Deputy Ó Ríordáin said any new unit should be full members of An Garda Síochána. 

“There can be a level of ambiguity as to what [the private security firm’s] powers of arrest are,” he said. 

“I think since the inspectors have gone from Dublin Bus routes, there’s a sense that maybe the individual drivers are completely isolated in front of the bus and isn’t necessarily as able to deal with issues that may arise.” 

Deputy Ó Ríordáin conceded there are currently “massive pressures on the Guards” but added he still believes it is an aspect of public policy that “needs to be prioritised.”

Main image: Gardaí wearing at a Luas stop on Dublin's O'Connell Street in March 2021. Picture by: Leon Farrell/RollingNews