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.
🎥The aftermath of a bus hijacking in the loyalist Rathcoole area of Newtownabbey.
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 8, 2021
Four masked men boarded the bus last night and ordered the driver and passengers off, before setting it alight.
It comes amidst growing anger over the NI protocol. pic.twitter.com/gRovxOKif0
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.
🎥 The bus which was hijacked and set alight in the Rathcoole area of Newtownabbey has been cleared away.
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 8, 2021
Police say four masked men carrying a hammer and a bottle of petrol forced the vehicle to stop at the Carnreagh Bend last night, before making passengers get off. pic.twitter.com/wBFj6lbLjr
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.
Stormont infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon condemns tonight's hijacking on the outskirts of Belfast. Four men boarded the double decker in Church Road near Rathcoole in Newtownabbey at about 7.45pm and ordered passengers off. The bus was then set alight across the road: https://t.co/VfPQIgxFxR
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 7, 2021
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
UPDATE after bus set on fire in Newtownabbey.
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) November 7, 2021
PSNI: Church Road will remain closed between O’Neill Road and the Abbey Centre overnight and into Monday. Diversions are in place. Motorists can expect delays in the area on Monday morning and are asked to seek alternative routes. pic.twitter.com/CJgp1PgF4S
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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