Limerick bus drivers targeted by thugs

STONES, bottles and eggs have been hurled at buses in Limerick city, vehicles have been vandalised - and in one incident, a firework was set off on board.

Documents released to Limerick Live have revealed there is an occurrence of anti-social behaviour on the city's bus network every four days on average.

The information, made available under Freedom of Information legislation, has strengthened calls for a dedicated transport policing division.

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Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan urged the new Government to prioritise this, adding he knows many bus drivers who have quit their jobs because of the “abuse” they face on a daily basis.

“We are seeing a consistent trend on public buses here in Limerick now of serious anti-social behaviour. It is leaving passengers and transport workers in fear. The decent hard-working people who use public transport need and deserve a safe, secure and reliable bus service,” he added.

The figures, released by the National Transport Authority (NTA) reveal there were 74 instances of anti-social behaviour between early September 2023, and mid-June of this year, which represent the most up-to-date statistics available.

The NTA, which governs bus services across Ireland, also revealed there were two bus drivers assaulted in Limerick last year - one on route 302 connecting the city centre and Caherdavin in January, the other on the 303, which links the city with Moyross and Southill.

Of the 74 instances reported, the majority - 25 - were on this (303) bus service, followed by 23 on the 304 bus line, which links the city centre with University of Limerick, Castletroy, Raheen and Dooradoyle.

Seventeen incidents were reported on bus 301, which covers Hyde Road - an area which no longer receives an evening service.

One incident, in October 2023, saw fireworks let off on the 303 at between Janesboro and O'Malley Park in Southill.

The same month saw eggs thrown at a 303 bus on the other side of the city, in Moyross.

In January this year, an incident was recorded where a bottle was thrown at a 304 service at Punch's Cross.

In April, stones were thrown at a vehicle near Limerick Fire Station.

There were several instances of fare evasion and one allegation of a driver being verbally abused.

Mr Quinlivan pointed out that Bus Eireann has withdrawn services in the past due to safety concerns.

“Many areas of Limerick like Garryowen, St Mary’s Park and Hyde Road have a very limited service that terminates after 6pm which is simply not good enough and needs to change. This does not in any way reflect the hard-working and decent communities who are most affected when this happens and are appalled by this senseless violence,” he concluded.