Gardaí carrying out 'high-visibility' patrols on trains, the Dart and the Luas to tackle anti-social behaviour

Operation 'Twin Tracks' will see gardaí conducting 'a day of action' across public transport services around the country. Picture: Larry Cummins

Members of An Garda Síochána will board intercity trains, the Dart and the Luas on Thursday as part of "high-visibility" patrols aimed at deterring anti-social behaviour.

Operation 'Twin Tracks', which is taking place in partnership with Iarnród Éireann, Luas operators Transdev Ireland, and the National Transport Authority (NTA) will see gardaí conducting "a day of action" across public transport services across the country.

Chief Superintendent Padraic Jones, Garda National Community Engagement, said Thursday's "day of engagement" would allow the force to maintain "a visible presence on board these services while preventing and detecting anti-social behaviour".

"It also allows for positive engagement between An Garda Síochána, customers and public transport providers," he said.

From Thursday morning, gardaí will be on patrol aboard Luas Red and Green Line services, the Dart, and several intercity routes, including:

• In Cork City, North and West Divisions — Charleville, Mallow, Banteer, Millstreet and Rathmore stations, as well as Cork City, Glounthane, Cobh and Midleton stations;
• In Limerick / Tipperary Divisions — Limerick, Limerick Junction, Castledonnell, Birdhill, Nenagh, Cloughjordan, Roscrea, Ballbrophy, Templemore, Thurles, Tipperary, Cahir, Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir;
• In the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division — Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Manulla Junction, Foxford, Ballina, Castlebar and Westport stations;
• In the Galway Division — Galway, Oranmore, Athenry, Attymon, Woodlawn, Ballinasloe and south from Athenry, Craughwell, Ardrahan and Gort;
• In the Sligo/Leitrim and Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Divisions — Sligo, Colloney, Ballymote, Boyle, Carrick-on-Shannon, Dromod, Longford and Edgeworthstown;
• In Kildare/Carlow Division — Newbridge, Kildare, Monasterevin, Athy and Carlow stations;
• And in the Wicklow/Wexford Division — Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, Rathdrum, Arklow, Gorey, Enniscorthy, Wexford, and Rosslare stations.

A Garda spokesperson said the operation would also see local crime prevention officers and community policing gardaí  present in Pearse Street, Connolly and Heuston stations in Dublin, and a number of regional stations "to engage with commuters and provide guidance on crime prevention" throughout the day. 

"NTA and the transport operators work in close co-operation with An Garda Síochána on an ongoing basis to ensure that our customers feel safe and secure while using public transport," said NTA chief executive Anne Graham.

"I welcome the rollout of Operation Twin Tracks as part of that effort and look forward to our continued involvement.”