Shocking attack on bus driver

BUS DRIVERS in the north Wicklow area are ‘sickened’ following the assault of one of their colleagues on the 184 route.

Gardai in Greystones said that they are aware of an incident involving an altercation between a driver and passenger and are looking into it.

The driver was attacked in the cab of the Dublin Bus in Greystones on the afternoon of Friday, May 4, and a video of the incident has emerged online in recent days.

‘It makes you realise how vulnerable you are,’ said a colleague of the victim.

‘We are all sickened by the ferocity,’ he said. ‘It’s just a person doing a job. It seems to go on a lot these days no matter what job you do, if you’re working with the public. Although 99.9 per cent of people are A1. Fair play to the two people who stepped in. It makes you believe there are good people out there too.’

The driver is currently off work and understood to be recovering following his ordeal.

The incident occurred at Lower Kindlestown Road in Greystones at 3.20 p.m. when the bus was travelling in the direction of Newtownmountkennedy. In the video footage, words are being exchanged between the driver and a man, who can be heard saying ‘please’. The exchange turned violent, with the man raining punches on the driver. Passengers on the bus included teenagers travelling home from school, and screams can be heard. A man and woman stepped in to help the driver and restrain the attacker by wrestling him to the ground.

National Bus and Rail Union rep Sean Yates, who is based in Ringsend, has called on Minister for Transport Shane Ross to establish transport police.

‘There has been a steady increase in antisocial behaviour,’ he said. ‘It’s no fault of Dublin Bus that drivers get attacked. It falls at the feet of Shane Ross and he needs to look at antisocial behaviour.

‘Our members are on the front line. They are out in the dead of night and isolated places and they need support.’

Gardaí attended the scene of the incident and are to be given CCTV footage from the bus.

Any witnesses can contact Greystones Garda Station on 01 6665800.