Gardaí probe arson angle to bus blaze

GARDAÍ are investigating a possible arson attack which damaged at least 12 buses owned by a private operator, causing potential losses of millions of euro.

Five units of the Dublin City Fire Brigade had to battle the fires at the depot in the Naas Road in Rathcoole, which gutted at least 10 buses and damaged as many as 15.

The vehicles are owned by private coach tour operator Dualway, which runs bus tours for tourists around the city, as well as some local bus services and other coach services.

It is understood the fire began just after 5am and such was the force of the blaze that members of the Fire Brigade were still dousing the flames in the afternoon.

At least 12 buses were damaged, and some were completely burnt out. Other vehicles close the company’s head office escaped the flames but four vintage buses were among those destroyed.

Dualway has been in operation for more than 30 years and employs 90 people. The vehicles damaged are estimated to cost between €30,000 and €250,000 each, although no figure has yet been placed on the expected cost of the fire.

The buses are a familiar sight in Dublin city, where they are used for Citysightseeing Tours, as well as in Kilkenny. Some of the fleet operate Gray Line Tours around Ireland while others are used for some local bus services in west Dublin, including school bus services.

Gardaí are investigating whether the fire may have been started deliberately and have asked anyone with any information to come forward. They particularly want to hear from anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity around the Rathcoole area early yesterday to get in contact.

It is believed there were signs of a break-in at the depot, and that the fire could have been started at particular vehicles before it then spread to other buses.

On its website Dualway stated: “The Dualway Group advises all customers that there will be no disruption to its schedule this week. All operations will continue as normal. The company does not wish to make any further comment at this stage.”

The company has won a number of awards for its coach tours and last July was awarded the Optimus Mark of Excellence by Fáilte Ireland.