Female Bus Éireann driver 'shot in the face' by an air gun in Limerick

In a statement today released by the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) a female member of staff at Bus Éireann working the 303 in service in Limerick was attacked by a "gang of youths" who refused to pay their fare for the bus journey and upon leaving they produced an air gun and shot the female driver "below the eye".

The statement released by the Senior National Executive Member, Stephen Nugent:

"Disgraceful and extremely dangerous incident of Anti-Social Behaviour on the 303 service in Limerick this afternoon, a female Bus Éireann driver who had only began her second week of operating bus services for Bus Éireann was approached by a gang of youths at the bus stop, they refused to pay their fare and began threatening the bus driver to let them on board the service. The driver became very frightened and intimidated by the gang and decided to let them on the on, when leaving the bus one member of the gang produced an air gun and shot the female driver in the face hitting her below the eye, local NBRU reps have requested that Bus Éireann immediately withdraw services in the affected area until such time that assurances on Safety are forthcoming."

Mr Nugent went on to say:

"This appalling incident, once again demonstrates the immediate requirement for the longstanding call form the NBRU for a dedicated Garda Public Transport Unit to be established, our Politicians, particularly those in Government need to move immediately to protect the Frontline Transport works and those that use Public Transport."