Dublin Bus Driver Threatened at Gunpoint in Mountjoy Square Incident

Dublin – A Dublin Bus driver is recovering after a harrowing incident in which a gun was pointed at his face in the Mountjoy Square area of Dublin’s north inner city on Friday, April 18, 2025. The frightening encounter, which occurred shortly before 11:00 p.m., has led to significant safety measures, including the rerouting of several bus services and an ongoing investigation by An Garda Síochána.

Details of the Incident

According to sources, the incident took place as the driver, a non-Irish national, was seated in his bus preparing for the start of his shift. A man boarded the vehicle, which was not in service, and, after being asked to leave, pulled out a suspected firearm and threatened the driver, reportedly saying, “I’ll blow your f**king head off.” The driver was unharmed but left deeply shaken by the ordeal. No customers were on board, and nothing was stolen during the incident, which Gardaí have classified as a suspected firearms incident.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed to the Irish Mirror, “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.”

Union and Dublin Bus Response

SIPTU, a union representing Dublin Bus drivers, swiftly responded to the incident by advising its members to avoid driving in the Mountjoy Square area during evening hours until further notice. A memo circulated to union members highlighted the severity of the incident and instructed drivers of Routes 7, 7a, and 13 to terminate their journeys at Parnell Square after 7:00 p.m. instead of Mountjoy Square.

John Murphy, SIPTU’s Transport Sector Organiser, spoke to the Irish Mirror about the driver’s condition and the union’s stance: “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. I know he’s very shook up. Our chairman has spoken to him and so have management.” He added, “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.”

Dublin Bus confirmed the incident and announced immediate changes to its operations. A spokesperson 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.”

The company also informed customers of service disruptions: “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.” Posts on X from @dublinbusnews echoed this announcement, confirming the diversion effective April 19, 2025.

Broader Context and Safety Concerns

The incident has heightened concerns about the safety of public transport workers in Dublin, particularly in the north inner city. Mountjoy Square has previously been the site of violent incidents, including a 2023 riot following a knife attack on Parnell Square East, which Gardaí described as the most violent in modern Dublin history. That event, driven by far-right agitation, saw buses and Garda vehicles set alight, underscoring the area’s vulnerability to unrest.

SIPTU’s John Murphy emphasized the need for proactive measures, stating, “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.” The union’s concerns are compounded by recent reports of violence against transport workers, such as a 2023 case in west Tallaght where a female driver was terrorized by a mob, leading to temporary service suspensions.

Public sentiment on X reflected alarm at the incident, with users like @Elle98759673 describing Dublin’s city center as “becoming a No Go Area” and “Totally Unsafe.” Such reactions highlight broader anxieties about urban safety, with a Dublin City Council Citizen Survey Report noting that only one in three people feel safe in the city center at night.

Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps

Gardaí are actively investigating the incident, with no arrests reported as of April 19, 2025. The absence of a robbery motive has raised questions about the perpetrator’s intentions, and SIPTU has speculated whether the driver’s non-Irish background may have been a factor, though this remains unconfirmed.

Dublin Bus has committed to supporting the driver, who is receiving assistance from both management and union representatives. The company’s decision to reroute services reflects a prioritization of employee safety, but it may inconvenience passengers reliant on Routes 7, 7a, and 13. SIPTU’s planned discussions with Dublin Bus next week aim to explore long-term solutions, potentially including enhanced security measures or a dedicated Garda transport unit, a concept unions have long advocated.