A Bus Éireann driver was hospitalized after being assaulted by e-scooter riders in Limerick, raising concerns about safety on public transport.
The bus was in the William Street area when the riders started yelling at him. Things escalated quickly, and they assaulted him. The driver, a man in his 40s, was taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.
Gardaí are looking into what happened. A spokesperson from Bus Éireann called it a serious case of anti-social behavior. They’ve shared all the CCTV footage with the police and are supporting the injured driver.
Dermot O’Leary, the General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union, spoke out against the attack. He mentioned that this incident shows the need for a dedicated transport police service, something they’ve been pushing for over ten years.
Plans for this service were recently mentioned in the Programme for Government. O’Leary said they want to meet with the new Minister for Transport as soon as they’re appointed.
Adrian Kane from SIPTU also pointed out that violence on public transport has gotten worse since the pandemic. Last year in Cork, there were several incidents, including attacks on drivers.
Kane emphasized that union representatives will be seeking a meeting with the new Minister to make sure this issue is prioritized.
Bus Éireann confirmed the incident and stated they take such behavior very seriously. They’re cooperating with the Gardaí and are committed to ensuring the safety of their staff and passengers.
Gardaí confirmed they responded to the assault report and that investigations are still ongoing.
