Athlone Gardai board trains in bid to curb anti-social behaviour

Gardai in Athlone were among those who took part in a national day of action on rail services this week as part of an effort to deter anti-social behaviour on board.

The 'Operation Twin Tracks' initiative by An Garda Siochana was undertaken on Wednesday, May 6, and saw officers from Athlone and Mullingar boarding and travelling on trains on the Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Sligo lines.

In an update on social media An Garda Siochana in Westmeath said local officers also met with members who were patrolling trains in the Laois/Offaly, Meath and Longford Divisions on the day.

"Gardai met with staff and spoke with commuters, who were given safety advice," a Garda spokesperson said.

"This initiative is to prevent and detect anti-social behaviour on these rail services."

Mary Considine, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, welcomed the 'Operation Twin Tracks' initiative, saying it "complements the ongoing, proactive engagement between Iarnród Éireann, An Garda Síochána, the NTA and other public transport operators year-round.

"Joint proactive patrols, rapid Garda response hubs at twenty locations across the Intercity network, and cooperation on specific event plans nationally and locally demonstrate the partnership between An Garda Síochána and public transport operators across the country," Ms Considine stated.