Irish Rail reported a 50% increase in anti-social behaviour incidents last year, with 1,523 reportable cases compared to 1,023 in 2023, intensifying calls for dedicated transport police to address rising safety concerns.
The dramatic rise from just 548 incidents in 2021 reflects both increased problematic behaviour and enhanced detection methods. Irish Rail categorizes incidents using a “harm test,” where events posing risks to customers and staff become reportable, including assaults, while non-threatening boisterous behaviour remains unrecorded.
The company attributed part of the increase to “increased security patrols and detection, with additional resources seeing interventions at major terminus stations.” A new monitoring group led by Irish Rail’s chief security officer now coordinates with twelve rapid Garda response hubs across the intercity network.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien acknowledged establishing a dedicated transport police force as an “important priority” included in the current Programme for Government, though he couldn’t provide an exact timeline. The force would operate under the National Transport Authority while remaining separate from An Garda Síochána.
O’Brien revealed Irish Rail increased security spending by 41% this year, with Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, and Luas also expanding security resources pending legislation for the specialized force.
Despite safety concerns, Irish Rail achieved record passenger numbers of 50.7 million in 2024, projecting further 10% growth this year. The company noted increasing evidence that hybrid working patterns may be less permanent than initially predicted.