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Protect us or we won’t go into north Dublin, drivers say By Jake Maxwell RISK to their safety may force Dart drivers to refuse to drive trains into parts of north Dublin, unions have warned. They say they do not want to operate services north of Connolly after 7pm on a Friday because it is like “heading into bandit country”. ,ULVK 5DLO VD\V LW LV EHH¿QJ XS security to deal with any cases of criminality and anti-social behaviour. Spokesperson Barry Kenny says they are also engaging with
drivers on the issue. ³:H¶YH FRQ¿GHQFH RI WKH safety and environment both for customers and for employees, in putting additional measures in place. Drivers have said that they fear for their lives and have been threatened by gangs at knife point, and claim drugs are peddled openly on trains and stations along the route. 7KH\ VDLG VHFXULW\ VWD൵ FDQQRW cope with the attacks, which included the hijacking of a WUDLQ LQ &ORQJUL൶Q ODVW PRQWK and a row after a recent Liam
Gallagher concert. In a letter to Irish Rail’s regional manager John Reville, Siptu organiser Paul Cullen warned that short-term security measures are not enough. He said previously there was substantial security on all late night Darts and even dog handlers. “It would not be in anybody’s interest or indeed we would not like to see a return to a situation where such services were to become ‘no go’ areas,” he said. Irish Rail said there was a number of stone throwing
incidents in north Dublin over the past couple of weeks but these have eased, and it is putting extra security in place. “It is an issue which unfortunately does grow in the summer months, and we address with targeted security,” said a spokesperson. “We have increased our security cover, and are liaising with drivers and their representatives, and reviewing customer feedback, to ensure we can address any concerns.” Continued on next page
Clara Blake (8) and Kate Keating (10) from Rathgar demonstrating their Lego model at the Irish Girl Guides Innovatively Engaging with STEM (IGGIES) Expo in Dublin City University » Lots more pictures inside