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11/02/2010
Oldpark Bus Attack Condemned
Politicians have hit-out at those behind a terrifying attack on a bus full of school children yesterday.
Ulster Unionist North Belfast MLA Fred Cobain has said that attacks on buses amount to an "assault on the entire community".
Speaking after the incident on the Oldpark Road, the UUP MLA said: "Bus services are vital to so many people – from school children to working adults and the elderly - and we cannot allow them to be driven out of our communities.
"Aside from the long-term social implications, there are very serious dangers for those passengers who are in vehicles under attack.
"I find it appalling that children have been injured and left terrified by the mindless acts of a few thugs," he said.
"We need to identify the culprits and, as a community, make it quite clear that this behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated. Those who feel they can disrupt vital services and endanger lives must be brought to the attention of police."
SDLP Councillor Nichola Mallon also condemned what she said was an orchestrated attack on a bus and its passengers on the Oldpark Road, north Belfast.
The Oldpark representative said: "This attack was orchestrated by a group of teenage thugs who clearly had no regard for who was on this bus and who could be hurt and must be condemned.
"It is totally unacceptable that a bus driver simply trying to earn a living and that passengers travelling to and from work, school and the Mater Hospital should be subject to this kind of mindless violent attack.
"The disturbing reality is that the young people involved, see this kind of riotous act as a recreational activity.
"Now, because of their thuggish behaviour, local residents could be deprived of a much needed bus service," she continued, noting that drivers are considering the withdrawal of services for their own and passenger safety.
The drivers' union has warned they will withdraw their services from areas where vehicles are repeatedly being attacked with stones.
The news came after a number of children sustained cuts when the bus was stoned in north Belfast at 3.30pm on Wednesday.
Two windows were smashed after youths blocked the road before throwing missiles on the Oldpark Road.
Michael Dornan from Unite called the perpetrators "mindless thugs" who were endangering lives.
He said that bus drivers repeatedly had to "run the gauntlet day in and day out just to do their jobs".
He added: "We have stated now through our company that if attacks in various areas persist, we will withdraw the services.
"We are not going to put our lives and the lives of the passengers on these buses in danger."
(BMcC/GK)
Ulster Unionist North Belfast MLA Fred Cobain has said that attacks on buses amount to an "assault on the entire community".
Speaking after the incident on the Oldpark Road, the UUP MLA said: "Bus services are vital to so many people – from school children to working adults and the elderly - and we cannot allow them to be driven out of our communities.
"Aside from the long-term social implications, there are very serious dangers for those passengers who are in vehicles under attack.
"I find it appalling that children have been injured and left terrified by the mindless acts of a few thugs," he said.
"We need to identify the culprits and, as a community, make it quite clear that this behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated. Those who feel they can disrupt vital services and endanger lives must be brought to the attention of police."
SDLP Councillor Nichola Mallon also condemned what she said was an orchestrated attack on a bus and its passengers on the Oldpark Road, north Belfast.
The Oldpark representative said: "This attack was orchestrated by a group of teenage thugs who clearly had no regard for who was on this bus and who could be hurt and must be condemned.
"It is totally unacceptable that a bus driver simply trying to earn a living and that passengers travelling to and from work, school and the Mater Hospital should be subject to this kind of mindless violent attack.
"The disturbing reality is that the young people involved, see this kind of riotous act as a recreational activity.
"Now, because of their thuggish behaviour, local residents could be deprived of a much needed bus service," she continued, noting that drivers are considering the withdrawal of services for their own and passenger safety.
The drivers' union has warned they will withdraw their services from areas where vehicles are repeatedly being attacked with stones.
The news came after a number of children sustained cuts when the bus was stoned in north Belfast at 3.30pm on Wednesday.
Two windows were smashed after youths blocked the road before throwing missiles on the Oldpark Road.
Michael Dornan from Unite called the perpetrators "mindless thugs" who were endangering lives.
He said that bus drivers repeatedly had to "run the gauntlet day in and day out just to do their jobs".
He added: "We have stated now through our company that if attacks in various areas persist, we will withdraw the services.
"We are not going to put our lives and the lives of the passengers on these buses in danger."
(BMcC/GK)
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