Bus Éireann suspends operations after driver shot in face in Limerick

According to Siptu representative Andrew Quigley, the woman was “traumatised” by the incident because “the air rifle looked very similar to a real firearm and she feared the worst when she was shot”.

She was then admitted to hospital for preventive treatment.

Mr Quigley said the incident could have been much worse and it was only luck that prevented the driver from being hit in the eye. He said some of the youths involved in the incident were “ordinary kids”.

Bus Éireann said it had referred the incident, which occurred in the O’Malley Park area of ​​the city, to the Gardaí and would “provide all assistance required, including making CCTV available to the Gardaí”.

“Bus Eireann services have currently been withdrawn from the area while Gardaí investigate,” a spokesman said.

“Bus Eireann does not tolerate anti-social or criminal behaviour towards our customers or staff,” the spokesman said, adding that further comment would be inappropriate as the matter was now with the Gardaí.

Siptu called for “urgent action” to tackle anti-social behaviour on public transport following the incident, with department organiser Adrian Kane saying real action was needed to make the system safer for passengers.

He said the Taoiseach should set up a stakeholders’ working group to introduce a transport police force focused on “curbing the increasing anti-social behaviour on our public transport system”.

Mr Quigley said it was deeply unfair that currently “passengers cannot travel safely in every community across the country”.

“It is the duty of law enforcement to protect all our citizens so that they can go about their daily lives without fear of violence. The government must act now,” he said.