Bus Hijacked And Burnt Out In Newtownabbey

A double-decker bus has been hijacked and burnt out in Newtownabbey, County Antrim.

Police have reported that at about 7:45pm last night, Sunday, four men got on to the bus near Valley Leisure Centre on Church Road and ordered the driver and passengers to get off. The men then poured fuel throughout the bus, before setting it alight.

The is the second such incident in a week.

Condemning the incident, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: "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.

"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.

"My Department and Translink are working closely with the PSNI. I am thankful that the driver and passengers are now safe after what must have been a terrifying experience. All efforts will be made to ensure those responsible are caught, stopped and brought to justice."