'Rock launched' at Dublin Bus leaves window smashed

A Dublin Bus was left with a smashed window after a rock was "launched" at it in West Dublin on Tuesday evening.

The incident happened at around 6pm to an X30 bus at stop 4401 on the Kennelsfort Road. The Palmerstown Neighbourhood Watch group notified locals of the incident on social media and said an injury was caused.

They said: "Approximately 6pm tonight a rock was launched at a westbound bus, it smashed a window and caused an injury. The rock was thrown from the trees behind the bus stop at the footbridge." The group encouraged anyone with information to contact An Garda Siochana.

A Dublin Bus spokesman confirmed to Dublin Live that an incident did take place on the X30 route yesterday evening. He said Dublin Bus "take incidents of anti-social behaviour extremely seriously".

He continued: "We have a firm strategy in place to tackle anti-social behaviour on our buses. This strategy is a key part of the company’s commitment to providing the community, customers and employees with a safe and reliable public transport service.

"The entire Dublin Bus fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras with up to eleven internal cameras and three external cameras fitted on the more modern vehicles in the fleet . Each vehicle is also equipped with a radio which facilitates immediate contact to our Central Control Centre. In cases of serious incidents on board a bus, central control co-ordinate with emergency services, such as the Garda and Ambulance Services, if required.

"All Dublin Bus employees are fully trained on the comprehensive procedures for dealing with specific challenging situations including anti-social behaviour. We also have mobile inspectors in the city centre, who are available to attend incidents as required."

The spokesman added that Dublin Bus has a close working relationship with An Garda Siochana and a member of the National Transport Authority’s Anti-Social Behaviour working group.

"In addition to this, we also operate a Schools Education Programme which involves educating young people about the importance of the bus in their lives and in their local community," he said. "The work of our School and Community Co-ordinators has also proven highly successful in encouraging young people to respect their bus and has assisted greatly in the reduction of incidents of anti-social behaviour."

Dublin Live has contacted An Garda Siochana for comment.

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