Buses return to Dublin streets after unofficial strike

Dublin Bus services affected by an unofficial stoppage by drivers at Ringsend garage are back on the roads this morning.

Thousands of commuters were hit by unofficial stoppage

However, a Dublin Bus spokesman said it may take several hours for services to return to normal.

Thousands of commuters were affected by the stoppage, particularly along routes through Tallaght, Terenure and Templeogue.

The action, which began at around 4.30 a.m. at the east Dublin garage, was sparked when "three or four" drivers refused to start work, Mr Christy Dorman of Dublin Bus said. They were joined by other staff, eventually resulting in up to 150 drivers holding an unofficial stoppage.

Mr Dorman said the drivers were angry about two incidents in Tallaght. In the first, a group of children "aged no more than four to seven" were disrupting the number 77 bus by repeatedly opening the side doors. They were chased from the bus by an inspector. In the second, stones were thrown at the 65 bus at around 10 p.m. and the service was withdrawn.

We regret the action and wish to apologise to all our customers who were affected Mr Christy Dorman

SIPTU and the NBRU, the two unions representing the bus drivers, began emergency meetings with management this morning to try to resolve the issue. They had encouraged the workers to end their action, as it was unofficially sanctioned.

Mr Dorman said Dublin Bus gave the drivers reassurances that action would be taken to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers and the drivers agreed to return to work.

"We regret the action and wish to apologise to all our customers who were affected," Mr Dorman said.

The disruption affected the following services: 15, 49, 50, 56A, 65, 65B, 77, 77A, 83, 150, 201 and 202.