NASA – No Alcohol or Substances Allowed
The No Alcohol or Substances Allowed (NASA) is a new initiative supported by Kildare Joint Policing committee in conjunction with the Safer Communities Alcohol group of the South Western Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force (SWRDATF).
The initiative aims to ensure that young people travelling to under 18 events are doing so in a safe, and alcohol free manner.
Cathaoirleach Suzanne Doyle, Cllr Fintan Brett (Chairman JPC), Teresa Murray (Chair of SWRDATF), Sgt Gavin Dunphy (Community Policing Kildare Division) and Cllr Chris Pender (Chair of Drug Litter Initiative & SWRDATF member)
Private bus companies are asked to sign up to the NASA Voluntary Code of Conduct, which commits to a zero tolerance policy of alcohol on board while transporting passengers to and from under 18s events. – If a passenger is intoxicated, suspected of being intoxicated, has been observed drinking alcohol or seen with alcohol, entry onto bus will be refused and parents/carers/Gardai will be contacted. If a passenger becomes intoxicated while on board or is seen with alcohol parents/carers/Gardai will be contacted.
Laura Keegan, (NUIM Student), Carlos Dunne (J.F, Dunne Insurances Ltd), Roisin O’Sullivan (O’Neills Coaches), Tom Cross Coach hire, Sean Tracey, (Treaceys Transport Maynooth), Cllr. Chris Pender (Soc Dem) SWRDATF member, Darren Shanahan, (DPEI, Foroige), Steven Joyce, (SWRDATF Development worker)
Sitting Left to right: Cllr Fintan Brett (FG), Chairperson Kildare Joint Policing Committee, Mayor Suzanne Doyle (FF), Teresa Murray (Chairperson SWRDATF), Sgt Gavin Dunphy (Divisional Sgt Community Garda)
Sgt. Gavin Dunphy has engaged with Bus Companies in County Kildare with the assistance of J.F. Dunne Insurances Ltd, who have taken a lead in promoting the project through their extensive knowledge of the bus and coach sector with over 40 years of service to the industry in insurance and risk management provision. The Bus Companies that are operating the NASA Voluntary Code are issued with stickers which will be displayed on their buses.
The list of participating companies to date includes:
- Traceys Bus Hire Maynooth Ph: 01 6285542/086 2225540
- Swift Coaches Ltd, Maynooth 087 2653813
- Tom Cross Coach Hire, Sallins (Naas) 045 876977/0862568827
- O’Neills Coaches, Allenwood North (Naas) 0872761327
- Kevin Collins, Bus Hire, Rathangan 086 8211028/0873616644
The launch of the initiative comes just in time for the release of Junior Certificate results next week Friday 4th of October and we appeal for schools, parents and organising groups to look out for the NASA sticker on your local bus and support those companies that are working to safeguard young people who are travelling to under 18 events throughout the County.
Further information is available by contacting SWRDATF Safer Communities on 045 875111.
Any bus companies that would like to get involved contact Carlos Dunne, J.F. Dunne Insurances Ltd 045 878500. .
