Co Down: bus hijacked and torched
Last updated 1st Nov 2021
A bus was hijacked and set on fire in Co Down today (Monday).
The incident happened in the Abbot Drive area of Newtownards - and has been linked to loyalist opposition to Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol.
Police appealing for information, say the driver was left "badly shaken".
In a statement the PSNI said: "At approximately 6.30am, two masked and armed men boarded the bus and poured fuel over the vehicle before setting it alight.
"The driver managed to get off the bus unharmed but has been left badly shaken by the incident.
"Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have any information in relation to it, is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 444 of 01/11/21.
"A report can be submitted online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
"Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org "
Politicians have condemned the attack.
It happened on the day set by the DUP earlier in the autumn to pull down the institutions at Stormont if major changes to the protocol had not been secured, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said in a tweet: "There was never any justification for people with guns on our streets and damaging property - there never will be
"Thuggery & terrorism will do nothing to remove the NI Protocol. Political action has secured progress and must be allowed to continue. Violence has no place in this.''
SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon, who has responsibility for transport provision in Northern Ireland, branded the attack "disgraceful''.
"Our bus drivers are frontline public workers, our buses provide a critical community service,'' she said.
"These cowards with covered faces have done nothing more than attack their own community.''
And Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie tweeted: "Utterly disgraceful, depressing and stupid actions of thugs and criminals. In what way does this help address issues concerning the protocol, it simply hurts their own community. Wise up.''