SIPTU representatives have confirmed to Drogheda Life that bus services in Drogheda were suspended for three hours last Friday evening (11^th July) following two serious incidents of anti-social behaviour which resulted in damage to a Bus Éireann vehicle.

SIPTU Organiser, Andrew Quigley, said: “Only last month, SIPTU members in Drogheda raised serious concerns relating to anti-social behaviour which were the focus of discussions with management.

Three weeks ago Drogheda Life reported that SIPTU representatives and Bus Éireann management had agreed to meet to discuss the adverse impact anti-social incidents were having on transport services in the Drogheda area, following a marked increase in problems, particularly at the town’s main bus depot.

MR. Quigley said at the time that his Union's members in Drogheda had raised serious concerns relating to anti-social behaviour, in particular on late night and early morning services.

"These incidents occur across services but more specifically there has been an issue resulting from gangs of youths preventing buses from leaving the depot which has caused major delays" he said.

“Unfortunately, the situation has continued to deteriorate with a further incident on Thursday (10th July) on a Drogheda bus service. This was followed by an incident of antisocial behaviour in the town, which resulted in damage to a Bus Éireann vehicle, on Friday around 5.00pm.

“Following the second incident protocols that have been agreed between our Union and management were activated and services in Drogheda were suspended for approximately three hours from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Friday evening.”

He added: “We are working proactively with management and other stakeholders to try our best to address these recurring incidents. However, our members are clear that the worsening problem of anti-social behaviour and abuse on the public transport network necessitates the Government moving on its commitment to establish a dedicated transport policing service.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said: “The solution to the crisis of anti-social behaviour on our public transport network, which is accepted by our members and the Government, is the creation of a standalone transport policing service. SIPTU has been calling for the introduction of such a service as part of our Respect Transport Workers campaign.

“The Government has accepted our case on this issue and included the creation of such a body in its Programme for Government. Our members stand ready to work with all stakeholders to make the creation of such a service a reality in as short a time frame as possible.”