MINDLESS thugs as young as 12 are putting a vital shuttle service in Derry’s Galliagh under severe threat following a spate of stone-throwing incidents.
Translink temporarily withdrew bus services from the Galliagh area on Monday after several stone throwing incidents over recent weeks by young people.
A number of windows were broken in the attacks.
Translink said the safety and welfare of customers and Ulsterbus staff is their top priority.
The service resumed yesterday but a shadow hangs over the service if the attacks start again.
Sinn Féin councillor Tony Hassan has condemned the attacks.
“Translink are saying that this problem has been there for the last three or four weeks but that on Monday night it was the worst incident yet.
“The driver, and some of those on the bus, stated that some of these young people were around the age of 12 or 14 years of age.
“Parents need to know what their children are up to. There’s about three or four thousand people relying on that service,” Mr Hassan said.
A Translink spokesperson said: “We can confirm that four incidents of stoning have occurred in the past few weeks on Ulsterbus services in the Galliagh area resulting in broken windows.
“We strongly condemn this dangerous behaviour.
“Following the latest incident last (Monday) night, bus services were withdrawn from the area at 8pm.
“If these attacks continue more services will have to be withdrawn to uphold our duty of care for staff and customers,” the company added.
Tags: