Train services could see stoppages ahead of Christmas as staff speak out about being intimidated, threatened and abused.
Workers are to be balloted on industrial action, with their union saying Irish Rail needs to protect its staff.
In a letter to management, one employee said they're sick of seeing dealers sort through heroin on-board, while others spoke of being threatened with sexual assault and violence.
Irish Rail spokesperson Barry Kenny says they've introduced customer service officers:
"Now obviously their role isn't a security guard it is a customer service role but it means there is a point of contact for customers to raise issues and to be able to escalate that to the Gardaí or central control.
Kenny says Irish Rail have also increased security staff patrolling DART and commuter routes by 50%.
"We've up to 20 teams now operating everyday [and] also established ongoing joint patrols with the Gardaí."
However, one man says there was no security available when it was needed:
"I was on a train a few months ago and there was a fight on the train and these two, they got at Limerick junction, quite inebriated, shouting and roaring, and we couldn't find a security guy anywhere."
