Outrage after child filmed violently attacking Dublin Bus passenger

Sunday World

a day ago

The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) is now renewing calls 'urgently' for transport police as tide of violence and anti-social behaviour rises
The NBRU said incidents like the child attacking the passenger are a regular occurrence. Stock image. Photo: PA
The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) is 'urgently' calling for transport police to be introduced, after a video of a minor assaulting a man on Dublin Bus caused outrage.
Tom O'Connor, assistant general secretary of the NBRU, labelled public transport 'unsafe' after the clip showed a hooded child repeatedly hitting the man in the back of the head.
In the video, the attacker is so small, he has to stand up on the seat behind the victim, who is a person of colour.
The violence intensifies as the clip goes on, as the minor hits the man in the face with a succession of rapid punches.
This leads the victim to hold his nose while he makes his way downstairs.
It seems that no one tried to intervene in the attack, which came just days after an Indian man, in his 40s, was stripped and assaulted in Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, south Dublin.
Mr O'Connor said that anti-social behaviour and violence on public transport 'is getting worse'.
'It's not just racism, it's sexism and homophobia too,' he said.
'People are carrying out these awful attacks on public transport with absolutely no regard for social norms. They just don't care.
'We urgently need a transport police to deal with these incidents. We can't wait.
'Right now, there's just no deterrent there to stop attacks on the public and on drivers.
'Our public transport is unsafe. These kids are wearing masks, hoods, but their actions are serious and it's anti-social behaviour that's just getting worse.
'The system is a joke. We need transport police with powers to arrest, detain and pursue.
'Five ministers have spoken about transport police and we still haven't got any.'
It is understood the incident took place on a bus in north Dublin bus two weeks ago.
The boy in the video appears to be aged around 11 to 13.
The clip was widely shared on social media.
Mr O'Connor said that on Dublin Bus routes and also on the Dart, there are problem areas where violence and anti-social behaviour are regular occurrences.
He said rolling out transport police in these areas would be a huge step forward.
Gardaí said they have not received any reports about the incident two weeks ago.
Dublin Bus said it is aware of the violent clip and it is carrying out an investigation.
The NBRU said incidents like the child attacking the passenger are a regular occurrence. Stock image. Photo: PA
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