A bus driver is recovering after a gun was pointed directly at him while operating his vehicle in the heart of Dublin, reports The Mirror.
The Irish Mirror has learned that the Dublin Bus driver experienced the frightening incident while driving through the Mountjoy Square area in the city’s north inner area on Friday night.
Sources say the incident unfolded while the driver was seated on the bus before his shift had begun, reports The Mirror.
A man boarded the bus, and when the driver informed him it wasn’t in service and asked him to leave, the man produced a gun and threatened: “I’ll blow your f**king head off.”
Although the driver escaped without physical injury, he was left deeply shaken by the ordeal, which occurred at approximately 11pm.
It has also emerged that SIPTU, the union representing many Dublin Bus drivers, has told its members to avoid driving through Mountjoy Square in the evenings for now, reports The Mirror.
A notice sent to drivers highlighted the seriousness of the Friday night incident in Mountjoy Square.
It instructed drivers operating routes 7, 7a, and 13 to end their routes at Parnell Square after 7pm.
Gardai confirmed to the Irish Mirror that they are investigating a potential firearms incident in Dublin, reports The Mirror.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí received a report of an alleged incident involving a suspected firearm that occurred on Mountjoy Square in Dublin 1 shortly before 11:00pm last night, Friday 18th April 2025. No injuries were reported. Investigations are ongoing.”
The spokesperson also confirmed that no property was taken during the event, reports The Mirror.
A representative for Dublin Bus acknowledged the shocking event and confirmed that services will now avoid Mountjoy Square after 7pm beginning Saturday until further notice.
He stated: “Dublin Bus can confirm that an incident occurred involving one of our vehicles in the vicinity of Mountjoy Square late last night. No customers were on board at the time. We are providing full support to the driver involved and we are liaising with An Garda Siochana. We will continue to assist them in any way possible. As the investigation is ongoing, we are not in a position to comment further at this time,” reports The Mirror.
“Customers should note that Routes 7/a and 13 will be unable to serve their terminus at Mountjoy Square from 19.00 Saturday evening until further notice. Nearest stop available for Route 7/a is stop 4725 on O’Connell Street. Nearest stop for Route 13 is stop 261 on Parnell Square East,” reports The Mirror.
Speaking to The Mirror, SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser John Murphy said the driver is still “shook up” after being held at gunpoint.
“A serious incident occurred at Mountjoy square where one our drivers was exposed to a serious incident in which a gun was pulled on him and a threat was made against him. That’s very serious in our view,” reports The Mirror.
“I know he’s very shook up. Our chairman has spoken to him and so have management. The driver is a non Irish national so we are not sure if that is associated with it or not at this stage. But SIPTU notified the company that the 13 and 7 routes should not terminate in Mountjoy Square after 7pm and divert to Parnell, and in fairness the company agreed. SIPTU plans to engage with the company next week to see what if any protocols can be put in place to deal with these types of incidents,” reports The Mirror.
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