Antisocial students banished from school bus

THIRTY-FIVE students were thrown off their school bus on Friday after antisocial behaviour involving eggs and flour being thrown.

The students had to make their own way to school in Falcarragh, Donegal, after they were banished from the bus for “health and safety reasons”.

The service was suspended yesterday and today, and will resume tomorrow for a trial period until Friday.

The drastic measure was taken by Bus Éireann officials after an escalation of antisocial behaviour on the Dunfanaghy bus by students throwing eggs, flour and other items.

A crisis meeting was to be held in PCC Falcarragh last night between the students’ parents, Bus Éireann and the school principal, Patsy McVicar.

The bus service transports students from the Dunfanaghy and Creeslough areas. Drivers complained of damage to buses and fear that the missile-throwing could distract them and lead to a serious and even fatal accident.

“We left 35 students on the side of the road on Friday for health and safety reasons. The driver just could not take any more of this,” a Bus Éireann spokesman said yesterday.

“The buses are ruined. Another day, we found a duffle bag full of ammunition, such as eggs, flour, ketchup and curry powder. This will be put on display for the parents at tonight’s meeting.

“The service has been suspended and will resume to see if there is any improvement in the situation.”

He added that the problems were being caused by a “majority” of fifth-year students.

Mr McVicar said he would appeal to parents at last night’s meeting to dissuade their children from antisocial behaviour.

“There are up to 50 students on the bus and the situation has become very serious for the driver with that type of carry-on.

“It started off with some students throwing water at each other but the situation escalated and came to a head last Friday,” said Mr McVicar.

“We want to get the bus service reinstated as soon as possible.

“I can understand Bus Éireann’s situation. The driver told me that students could hardly walk on the bus because the floor was so slippery. If the driver is distracted it could lead to a very serious situation indeed.”