Drivers to discuss restoring Finglas bus service

DUBLIN bus drivers will meet today to decide if they will restore night-time services to parts of Finglas following a series of violent incidents on routes serving the north Dublin suburb over the past few weeks.

Earlier this week, unions representing Dublin Bus workers decided to curtail some Finglas services after 7pm over the Easter weekend amid concern for the safety of drivers and passengers.

A meeting convened by gardaí which was attended by Dublin Bus management and unions as well as local public representatives was held yesterday. Among those who attended the meeting were Fianna Fáil junior minister Pat Carey and Sinn Féin councillor Dessie Ellis.

Following the meeting which lasted almost four hours at Blanchardstown Garda Station, the two unions representing Dublin Bus workers — SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union — said they had received assurances from gardaí and the company about the matter.

However, a SIPTU spokesperson declined to elaborate on the detail of any additional security measures which would be taken to address the recent attacks on buses in the Finglas area. However, he described the meeting as “open and constructive”.

Nevertheless, drivers went ahead with their decision to terminate services from 7pm last night on the 40, 40A, 40B and 40C at Finglas village, while the 220 bus bypassed a number of housing estates in Finglas on its route to Blanchardstown.

More than 2,000 residents are likely to be affected by the decision taken by bus drivers concerned for the safety of Dublin Bus staff and their passengers.

Dublin Bus workers will meet with union representatives this morning to decide if a further cancellation of services will go ahead as planned tonight and tomorrow.

“On average there has been one attack per night over the past three weeks, at all times of day and evening. Windows have been broken and it is only a matter time until there is a serious injury to passengers or drivers,” said SIPTU spokesman John McCamley.

NBRU spokesman John McGrane claimed there had been a number of serious incidents involving gangs of youths using alcohol and drugs on buses.

During one attack, a missile which appeared to have been fired by a catapult had passed through both the rear and front window of the bus.

Mr McGrane apologised for the disruption of services to the “99% of people in Finglas who are law-abiding”.

However, he claimed Dublin Bus drivers had taken the decision to curtail services because the situation had become too dangerous for both staff and their passengers.

Before yesterday’s meeting Mr McGrane complained there were a number of blackspots in the Finglas area which needed greater policing by gardaí.

Dublin Bus drivers became increasingly concerned about safety issues following violent scenes in the Cardiffsbridge Road area of Finglas on St Patrick’s Day which saw a number of cars burnt out and 17 people arrested.