Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
908. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a breakdown of offences detected as part of the 'Day of Action' operations on public transport in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form, by year and offence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14839/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána including all operational policing matters.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that there is no specific incident type available in PULSE to capture such activity and that as a result, An Garda Síochána cannot provide any reliable response.
I am assured that a range of regional and local operations have been put in place by Gardaí to prevent and detect criminal activity on public transport. For example, Operation Saul is implemented across the Dublin Region. The aim of Operation Saul is to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising all public transport services in the DMR together with reassuring the citizens, visitors and the business community that Dublin is a safe place in which to visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy all its amenities.
Operation Saul involves the effective management and planned delivery of all working resources in the DMR to ensure the delivery of both an overt and covert policing response on board Bus, Luas, Dart and Train services to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour, public order and criminal activity on a daily basis.
On Thursday 16 November 2023, a day of action was held in Dublin in collaboration with the Rail Safety Partnership under the auspices of Operational Saul. The operational objective of the operation was achieved by co-ordinating and managing resources in the DMR to deliver both an overt and covert policing response on board Bus, Luas, Dart and Train services, and at Transport Centres within the DMR.
Routine patrols took place by members both on foot and bicycles, as well as mobile patrols at Luas, Bus, Dart and Train Stops. Each Division appointed an Inspectors to co-ordinate policing activities on the day. The operation was a success with a number of arrests and prosecutions arising out of the joint operation.
