Dublin Bus has increased security around routes in north Dublin after a violent incident involving a driver and a child earlier this week.
Video taken on December 27th near Ikea in Ballymun shows what appears to be a Dublin bus driver standing between a woman and a male child outside a Dublin bus. The footage shows the child approaching the woman and the driver striking him, causing the boy to fall to the ground.
The incident happened at a stop along the 140 route.
A Dublin Bus spokesman said it is investigating the incident. “Dublin Bus is aware of footage showing an alleged incident occurring adjacent to a bus on the 140 route. We are ... investigating this footage.”
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A Garda spokesman said it is investigating “a report of alleged assault that occurred in Ballymun, Dublin 11, on Friday night, 27th December 2024.”
Video of the incident has spread widely online, with some internet users calling for vigilante action to be taken against the driver.
The video has also been shared widely on far-right channels where several users have made threats to find and assault the driver, who appears from the footage to be from a non-white background.
This has prompted concern among drivers about their safety in the coming days. In a communication to its members on Saturday, Siptu, which represents bus drivers, said it has raised these concerns with Dublin Bus management. Extra security measures have been put in place in the area as a result, the union said.
Siptu told its members extra gardaí will also be operating around the area to prevent further violence. It urged members to leave the area if they feel unsafe at any time.
Siptu has been contacted for comment.
