'I see it all the time': local resident on 'blatant' drug drops at Waterford train station
Plunkett Station, Waterford
Having raised the issue at the last public meeting about three years ago, a Dungarvan resident questioned a perceived lack of Gardaí at local public transport spaces, which are seeing "blatant" drug drops.
The resident raised the issue at the recent Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership public meeting, where Assistant Commissioner Paula Hillman and Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit answered on behalf of An Garda Síochána.
Having personally witnessed how frequent and blatant drug handling has become at bus stops and at Plunkett Station in the city, the resident said it's "absolutely rampant" and the lack of Gardaí patrolling the area is making it too easy.
The resident witnessed four clear drug drops on a recent Waterford to Dublin train, they said, adding that they've often seen children involved.
"I feel so sorry for the older people that are on the trains," they said, "because it's anti-social behaviour and they're [people doing the drops] not nice to be sitting in the same carriage with.
"And I've never seen a garda, and this has nothing to do with the gardaí. I know they've got enough on their plates and they can't be everywhere but I've never seen a garda or someone [...] to deter it."
"It's just absolutely rampant, I don't think people realise how bad it is and it's so blatant to see."
Assistant Commissioner Paula Hillman, who has responsibility for Garda operations for the Eastern region of the country, highlighted Operation Twin Tracks as a deterrent for this behaviour, saying Gardaí "obviously need to focus" the operation more.
The national operation, which is run locally on trains to and from Waterford's Plunkett Station, may be needed on a more regular basis, she said.
"I would encourage reports," she said, adding that Gardaí will use information from public reports and feedback to determine what times, days and services need a more visible Garda presence.
"We do it at times that we think that we can get the greatest, both visibility, but also at times when there's a need or the demand shows us that we need to be there," she explained.
Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit also responded to the question, saying that it is an issue local Gardaí receive regular reports about.
Outlining some difficulties with policing drug transportation, he said Gardaí not being able to be on every bus or train, and buses and trains travelling from one division or jurisdiction to the next can create problems.
"But I do agree with you," he said, "Seeing media reports from the Luas in Dublin to [other] trains and buses, there's that menacing behaviour going on, anti-social behaviour, use of drugs, outwardly anti-social behaviour.
"And it is deterring to, as you mentioned earlier, elderly people and some people from using it."
Gardaí regularly patrol the bus and train station in Waterford city, he said, and their new high visibility programme will feed into that.
As it is an issue Gardaí receive regular reports about, they link in with their partners in Iarnróid Éireann, Bus Éireann and private bus companies running throughout the city, Chief Superintendent Pettit added.
With some of these reports allowing the Gardaí to take action against the individuals involved, he said, "We encourage any reports that people can make confidentially or otherwise, and we'll try and do our best in relation to it."
