Derry: Galliagh bus service curtailed after attacks

Cllr Sandra Duffy says buses have been attacked with stones and fireworks

Politicians have asked for a meeting with Translink after it curtailed its bus service to part of the Galliagh estate in Londonderry.

Five buses were attacked with stones or bricks in the eight-day period until last Friday, the police said.

Buses will still go into the estate but will not serve Heather Road from 18:00 BST each evening.

Translink said it continued to monitor the situation but that safety was its top priority.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the attacks were "unacceptable".

Inspector Paul McDonald said they liaised with local community representatives over the weekend and would continue to have a "visible presence" in the area.

"These bus services are essential to the communities of the greater Galliagh area," he said.

"Thankfully, the drivers or passengers were not injured but the actions of those involved could easily result in someone being seriously injured. It has to stop."

Residents have condemned the ongoing attacks.

One local mother said she needed the bus to take her daughter to hospital for heart scans.

"I'm always on the bus for the hospital appointments, so it's a nightmare," she told BBC Radio Foyle's The North West Today programme.

Another woman said: "As a regular bus user, I think it's terrible that the bus can't go round the route as normal and for them to be getting stoned, I think it's terrible. It shouldn't be happening."

Cllr Duffy, of Sinn Féin, said there had been an upsurge in anti-social behaviour in recent weeks.

"We have seen the buses as they're coming into the area and they're getting stones thrown at them, other missiles, fireworks," she said.

'Stop the nonsense'

"It's very upsetting for the bus drivers. They're putting their lives in danger but their also putting the lives of passengers in danger, so it's very upsetting for the drives and the passengers," she continued.

"Unfortunately, we have been talking to Translink about this now over the last couple of weeks.

"Translink have been very clear that it is a health and safety risk for their drivers, for their passengers and, if it can't be resolved, they will have to pull the buses."

Cllr Duffy said those behind the attacks should "stop the nonsense", adding they were only harming their own people.

Translink said it condemned all acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

It advised passengers who normally get a bus at Heather Road to use the nearby stops at Fergleen Park and Altcar Park.