Bus hijacked and set on fire near loyalist estate - minister calls it "madness"

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What remains of the hijacked double decker

Q Radio News

A bus has been hijacked and set on fire at the loyalist Rathcoole estate on the outskirts of Belfast.

Four masked men, who were carrying a hammer and a bottle of petrol, boarded the double decker as it made a stop at Carnreagh Bend at around 7.45pm on Sunday.

It ordered passengers get off the bus before forcing the driver to make the journey to Church Road.

The men proceeded to smash windows before setting the vehicle on fire.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service later extinguished the blaze. 

The charred remnants of the bus were still smouldering later on Sunday night as police in armoured vehicles monitored the scene.

Detective Inspector Lenaghan said, “The suspects were said to have been dressed in black, and believed to be aged in their 40s.

"One of the men was described as being around 5’ 7”  in height, whilst two of the others were estimated as being 6 ft or taller." 

DI Lenaghan added that it was a terrifying incident for the driver and passengers. 

“This was a distressing and frightening ordeal for everyone involved, and we are thankful that no one suffered any physical injuries.

“This reckless incident also continued to cause disruption for those who live and work in the area this morning, and we would ask drivers to avoid it as we continue to carry out our investigations.

Last Monday a bus was hijacked and burned in a loyalist area of Newtownards, Co Down, in an apparent protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Disorder also broke out at a community interface in west Belfast twice last week.

The violence involving youths from the nationalist Springfield Road and loyalist Shankill Road saw police being attacked with missiles and fireworks on Wednesday and Friday night.

Wednesday’s disorder followed a protest against the protocol.

Condemning Sunday’s hijacking, Stormont Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said the driver and passengers were safe after a “terrifying experience”.

“It is disgraceful and disgusting that our public transport workers have been targeted for attack again, this time by masked men who ordered the driver and passengers off a bus this evening and then set fire to it. This is the fourth attack this year,” she said.

“Translink buses are public assets. Without them people can’t get to and from work, or school, or hospital appointments. Our bus drivers are working class people who deserve to be safe in their jobs. People using public transport also deserve to feel safe and be able to go about their business without fear.

“The criminals behind these reckless and cowardly attacks have done nothing more than harm their local community, depriving them of a critical public service. It is another extreme act of self harm consistently rejected by the people of Northern Ireland.”

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon speaking to Q Radio 

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson branded the attack “senseless”.

“Such criminal behaviour could lead to death or serious injury,” he tweeted.

“This only harms local people and local communities. It serves no cause whatsoever. The ringleaders should step back. Change is brought about by politics not by burning buses.”

Sinn Fein North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said: “The hijacking and burning of a bus and threats to a driver in Rathcoole is dangerous, reckless and despicable.

“There is absolutely no place in our society for this criminality and violence.

“We need to see clear condemnation from unionist leaders tonight of this violence and further attempts to stir up tensions.

“Words and actions are very important, and I would urge unionist leaders to end the provocative language and dishonesty around the protocol.

“People want calm and responsible leadership to reduce tensions and ensure there is no further escalation of violence on our streets.”

The burnt out bus near Rathcoole

A PSNI spokesman said: “Police received a report of a hijacking incident in the Church Road area of Newtownabbey at around 7.45pm on Sunday evening.

“It was reported that four men got onto the bus and ordered passengers off before the bus was then set alight.

“Church Road is currently closed and diversions are in place and police would ask members of the public to avoid the area.”

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