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A Newry City councillor has condemned a serious incident of antisocial behaviour last evening, 30 December, after youths deliberately slowed traffic before throwing stones at a bus on the Camlough Road, causing serious damage to the vehicle.
The incident occurred at approximately 7.55pm last night when stones were thrown from the pram walk at Derrybeg. Councillor Aidan Mathers said it was "sheer luck" that nobody was injured in the attack.
Cllr Mathers warned that continued antisocial behaviour could result in the withdrawal of vital services. "The Camlough Road is a key route into south Armagh. Any threat to drivers or passengers risks services being pulled, which would seriously affect people who rely on public transport, including those travelling to and from Daisy Hill Hospital," he said.
The councillor pointed to previous incidents involving local services, including the Forkhill route and the train station connection, where the Belfast–Dublin service had been forced out of operation due to damage, causing significant disruption.
"This is exactly what we want to avoid, these services are a lifeline to our local communities and must be protected and maintained," Cllr Mathers added.
Speaking after the incident, Councillor Mathers said: "I am appalled by the reckless actions where youths deliberately slowed traffic and then threw stones at a bus from the pram walk at Derrybeg, causing serious damage to the bus. This illegal and antisocial behaviour puts the public in danger and shows a complete disregard for public safety and our local communities."
