Jarring details as 150 attacks on Irish Rail trains were reported in 2024
Nearly 150 attacks on passengers and staff were reported to Irish Rail last year, including an alleged sexual assault on the Dublin to Cork service.
The incidents were among over 1,500 cases of anti-social behaviour or criminal activity which occurred on trains or in stations during 2024.
These included a number of hate speech episodes – including a case of racial abuse that happened on a train from Dublin to Waterford – and a 'hate incident' on board another intercity service. Pic: Rolling News
In May, a customer alleged they were the victim of a sexual assault while travelling on the Dublin to Cork route, according to data released by Irish Rail under Freedom of Information legislation.
Dozens of other assaults were also reported, which included attacks on passengers, on employees of Irish Rail, and on contractors working for them.
On one rail service from Mallow to Tralee last spring, there was an allegation of 'inappropriate touching' on board the train. Pic: Getty Images
In another case last March, a customer claimed they were the victim of an assault by gardaí and staff at Cork's Kent Station.
Last December, a passenger spat in the face of an Irish Rail employee after they were refused travel at Newbridge Station in Kildare.
Other incidents of anti-social behaviour included a man brandishing a knife and another person who was filming fellow passengers on board a train to Portlaoise. Pic: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
In one case, a threat was made to bomb a station on the X social media platform, while pickpockets were reported on one train service.
There were a total of 278 incidents where a member of the public or a member of staff suffered an injury.
This included a case where a passenger was hit by part of a lift that fell off at Mallow Station in Co. Cork.
Another incident involved 'lewd behaviour' on board a Galway train that caused psychological distress to witnesses, which was one of at least 30 similar reports of 'lewd' activity.
There were at least a dozen cases where people fell onto platforms or tripped in the gap between the platform and the train.
Other incidents included a person hit by a falling piece of luggage, another who walked into a pole, and multiple passengers who were hit by ticket validator machines.
One person sustained a needlestick injury at Portlaoise Station while numerous passengers either fell while getting on board or alighting from trains.
Irish Rail also reported 27 cases of what they call 'category one' near misses, where people get onto tracks or are narrowly missed by trains.
This included trespassers walking on railway lines, graffiti artists trying to spray paint trains or buildings, and other similar incidents.
There were also numerous reports of damage to trains. The windows of one train were shattered, with two separate incidents of 'soiling'.
Other incidents logged by Irish Rail last year included a catalogue of cases involving aggressive behaviour—a large number of these involved intoxicated people.
Reports of begging and selling of tissues were also reported to Irish Rail.
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