A LOCAL councillor has expressed fears that “someone will be killed” on a busy Irish motorway after rocks were thrown at a packed school bus from a flyover.
Gardai in Co Tipperary were alerted to the alleged incident on the M8 after a bus was struck by what the driver believes was a rock.
The incident took place at around 10pm last Thursday night as two coaches were returning from a school event in Cahir.
While passing the flyover near Palmershill, one of the coaches – which had 52 secondary school students and teachers on board – was struck by what the driver believes was a rock.
The incident was reported to gardai who said they attended the scene and patrolled it but “all parties involved had departed”.
Liam Browne, who is a councillor for the Cashel Tipperary area, said he received an email describing the incident from the local bus operator who outlined the “very serious incident” on the motorway.
Independent Cllr Browne said: “It has been reported to the Gardai, and some may wonder why I am publicising it.
“I am doing so, to let people know, it is happening, and to contact the Gardai, your Cllrs, the NRA, Tipp FM/Tipp Mid West and every other organisation, if it happens to you.. so we can put as much pressure on the various organisations, to try to get this stopped before someone is killed.
“Because someone will be killed if this continues.
“People who know the youngsters doing this will read this post. Talk to them. Tell them the seriousness of what they are doing.
“And tell them, they will end up in jail for a long time, if they cause an accident.”
The bus operator told Cllr Browne that they wanted to raise awareness of the incident in the hopes that “something can be done”.
The email said: “Luckily, the driver reacted in the correct manner but if he hadn’t there could have been a major incident as a result.
“As a local representative I wanted to bring this to your attention in the hope that something can be done about it.
‘GOING ON WAY TOO LONG’
“We are a family run business and as you know in the current climate it is difficult enough to run a business without the threat of this kind of damage on our roads.”
Locals blasted the incident, with one person calling for “metal cages around and above the walkways on the flyovers” to prevent anything being thrown at cars below.
One person said online: “Very sadly it’s going to take a loss of innocent life or lives before anything will be done and it’s not too far away.
“Going on way too long.
“An absolute disgrace what people are allowed to get away with.”
Another person wrote: “Surely throwing rocks on a fly over is an intentional way cause harm why would U do it otherwise.”
