Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport and Communications, Martin Kenny TD, has today expressed his concern at the government’s failure to act on a commitment given by Tánaiste Micheál Martin to establish a public transport policing division. 

His comments come following a violent incident onboard a Dublin Bus in Blanchardstown last Friday, which saw photos of a blood-spattered bus entryway shared across social media. 

Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said, “This was an absolutely outrageous incident and my thoughts are with the victim, passengers, and with the driver who was stuck in her cab while this incident unfolded.

“I spoke with members of SIPTU in relation to this incident earlier today and while this incident was serious, this is just a symptom of what many of their members are facing day-in, day-out. 

“We are seeing a consistent trend on public transport now of serious anti-social and – in many cases – criminal behaviour.  It is leaving passengers and transport workers in fear.

“The Tánaiste recently announced that Fianna Fáil were committing to the establishment of a public transport policing division to much fanfare.  This was in stark contrast to the stern refusal I received from his cabinet colleagues in Justice and Transport whenever I have raised that matter repeatedly since 2021. 

“Having campaigned heavily for a transport policing division alongside workers and commuters over the last last three years, I was pleased to hear the government had finally listened to what our transport workers and commuters had asked for, for so long. 

“However there has been absolutely no progress on this announcement since.

“This incident has made the headlines, but there many others that go unreported every week.  What commuters and workers need now is action towards the establishment of a transport policing division – not electioneering from the Tánaiste”.