Man falls from bus window after attack

THE mother of a young man kicked out of the top floor window of a bus in Tallaght has been praying at her son’s hospital bedside for his recovery.

The 19-year-old was travelling to Tallaght Square on the 77 bus just after 2pm last Friday. It is believed he was on his way to a shop when he was assaulted by youths aged 16 to 18.

A group of up to nine teenagers got on at one stop and went upstairs. The victim was then attacked.

According to bus employees, he was minding his own business sitting in a seat when some of the youths tried to take property from him. The young man then received a heavy blow to his head. When he went to get up and away from his attackers, he was kicked in the chest and out the top window of the bus.

Witnesses yesterday told of their horror of seeing the man fall from the height onto the road.

The driver of the double-decker had to sway to avoid running the bus’s wheels over him.

Passengers are believed to have heard the harassment ensuing upstairs, but reported the bus kept moving.

Trade union representatives say they cannot intervene in incidents as any compensation or wage amounts filed due to injury could be rejected by Dublin Bus.

The mother of one witness said her daughter “thought the bus should have been stopped before they reached the square or someone should have gone upstairs.”

However, the driver of the number 77 said: “I had just pulled in, when your man came flying out through the window. You wouldn’t be expecting something like that on the top deck.”

The driver, who has worked on Dublin routes for seven years, is now receiving counselling.

Garda Superintendent Declan Coburn said five people were arrested over the incident, witnesses had cooperated giving statements and CCTV footage was being examined.

New double decker buses with the city’s fleet have seven cameras on board.

Dublin Bus spokeswoman Grainne Mackin last night said a meeting was scheduled today with gardaí, residents representatives, TDs including junior minister Conor Lenihan as well as bus drivers to discuss the recent attack.

Ms Mackin admitted this was the first attack of its kind in living memory.

One bus driver told RTÉ the public should be shown images of the random wanton violence occurring on buses.

The victim was brought by ambulance to Tallaght hospital after the attack last week and was initially described as critical. His condition had improved by yesterday and his mother publicly thanked those who had come forward, as well as saying she was praying by her son’s bedside. Gardaí say he received spinal injuries as well as a number of broken ribs and head wounds.