Authorities in Ireland are currently probing into a case where a bus was commandeered by a gang of adolescents in Limerick City who threatened the driver, leading him into a premeditated trap on a busy route. This event follows closely on the heels of another incident on the same route, where a young assailant shot a female bus driver in the face with a pellet gun, leaving her severely shaken.
Stephen Nugent, a representative of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), expressed strong disapproval of the incident. He shared that the unruly teenagers boarded the bus on a Sunday and intimidated the driver with what was thought to be a pellet gun, forcing him to diverge from his regular route, which is from Kilmallock Road to Pineview in Limerick City. Not only this, but they also blatantly refused to purchase tickets for their journey.
Explaining the ordeal, Mr. Nugent said, “They wished to travel across the city without paying their fares. If the driver resisted their demands, they threatened to harm him.” As the driver was understandably petrified, he complied and drove them to their desired destination.
Upon arriving at the location, he was met by more adolescents who proceeded to hurl bricks and rocks at the bus. The Gardaí reported they are looking into this case of public unrest, which took place on the 303 bus route in the John Carew Park vicinity on July 14th around 4:30 pm. A representative of the Gardaí confirmed that their probe is still in progress.
Bus routes in both the Carew Park and O’Malley Park regions have been put on hold for a temporary period due to a series of disruptive events, though it’s noted that discussions are presently in progress between Bus Éireann and the NBRU to recommence operations in Carew Park only. The representative from NBRU has made it clear that service in the O’Malley Park locale will not be reinstated until matters relating to unsociable conduct are dealt with. As it stands, from 5pm until midnight, buses travelling through O’Malley Park have been tailed by a security vehicle, as stated by Mr Nugent. This security measure has also been subjected to aggression a few weeks prior, mentions the NBRU representative. The past Friday saw an incident in which a female driver on the same route fell victim to an air gun offense by a young male passenger refusing to pay the fare. On the identical 303 path, razor blades were discovered lodged in several seats on a bus during a usual check. Both Bus Éireann and An Garda Síochána, upon being informed of the incident, have confirmed their ongoing investigation.