DART tragedies require urgent response
Two separate fatal incidents at DART stations on the Northside has led to calls from Senator Aodhán O Riordáin for an urgent response from authorities.
Senator Ó Ríordáin said:
“In the past month there have been two fatalities at Howth Junction and Harmonstown DART stations. These incidents have placed focus again on the severe mental health crisis our country is facing, and have caused untold distress and trauma for the families of the deceased, their friends and also DART drivers and emergency services who respond to these incidents.
“On Wednesday evening, I witnessed a vigil organised by local young people devastated by the loss of their friend as they lay flowers and candles and comforted each other.
“Young people affected by this week’s tragedy in Harmonstown have made the point that unmanned DART stations at nighttime are contributing to the problem.
“There is no easy solution to the complex issues of mental health, self-harm or suiicde, but we must respond as a community and as a society to what is happening to our young people.
“Having manned stations at all times with trained personnel who can respond effectively to any given situation would go some way to addressing the issue.
“The alternative is silence. And silence isn’t an adequate response to our young people dying.”