Navan bus smashed in violent incident

A terrifying incident on a Navan town bus on Friday has led to calls for the creation of a garda public transport unit.

A man was due in Court today charged in connection with an incident in Navan on Friday in which the windows in a town service were smashed and passengers evacuated from vehicle.

Bus Eireann has confirmed that an incident took place which resulted in the vehicle being vandalised, with windows broken. “As a result, a number of services had to be cancelled between 1 pm and 3pm,” said a spokesperson. “We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience.

“Bus Éireann does not tolerate aggression or abuse on board our services. Such incidents are rare and 96 per cent of our customers report feeling safe while travelling with us.

“All Bus Éireann drivers have a direct communications link to control centres, and can immediately alert a supervisor, and the Gardaí if required, to any issues that may arise. All of our vehicles are also fitted with internal and external CCTV cameras,” she said.

Tom O'Connor assistant general secretary of the National National Bus and Rail Union said Navan has been a hotspot for anti social behaviour, “We have been campaigning for a Garda transport division for the past three years. “The only way to encourage people to use public transport is if they feel safe and we need a full funded garda transport unit.”

He said that Navan routes and the town service have been particularly problematic . “There is a lot of anti social behaviour, particularly at Abbey Road in Navan and colloquially the NX service is known as the narcotics express,” he said.

Cllr Alan Lawes said Friday's incident was just one of many on buses in Navan. “Last January a man passed out drunk on the bus holding a large knife. Someone had a taser on a bus last September and in another incident last year, a driver was attacked and chased because he wouldn't allow passengers on using bogus passes. "In February last year windows were broken on a bus and in June 2020, a driver was assaulted on the NX. “We need transport police around the country,” he said.

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy said that a number of constituents contacted him on Friday in relation to an incident on a public bus on Paddy O'Brien Street. "I'm deeply concerned by the incident, a number of passengers were removed from the bus in a distressed state.

"The Navan local bus service has been a revelation since it's introduction. There are over 20,000 passengers availing of it every month now I believe. I regularly use it myself and am thankful we have such a service in the town."There's a huge appreciation for the service in communities right across the town and that's reflected in the low numbers of incidents on the buses. I urge people to continue using the service, it's well managed and quite safe to do so," he said.