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Evening bus services on one of Newry's busiest routes have been suspended until at least Monday following a further spate of dangerous stone throwing attacks that have left the Bus Station down four buses and disrupted services for workers, students and families across the city.
throwing incident
Newry City Councillor Aidan Mathers has condemned the attacks in the strongest terms after two further incidents on New Years Eve at the same location on the Camlough Road route resulted in significant damage to vehicles. A bus was damaged in the same area the previous night, 30 December.
Bus management has been left with no option but to suspend evening services along the Camlough Road and Derrybeg route, directly impacting one of the busiest bus corridors in the city which serves Monaghan Street, Camlough Road and South Armagh.
"I utterly condemn these dangerous and criminal attacks on buses, once again occurring at the same location on the Camlough Road," Cllr Mathers said. "This behaviour is completely unacceptable and is posing a significant risk to the public, including drivers, passengers and other road users."
He warned that a small number of individuals are causing widespread harm across the community through their reckless behaviour.
"This is not harmless behaviour — it is criminal, dangerous and deeply irresponsible," Cllr Mathers said.
The councillor has been in contact with police and is continuing to work closely with them and all relevant agencies to address the situation and prevent further incidents. He urged witnesses or anyone with information to bring it forward to police.
Cllr Mathers also called on parents to know where their children are and to ensure they are not involved in the criminal behaviour which is endangering communities and people.
"We will continue working with all relevant agencies, local stakeholders and the community to address these incidents, restore services safely and ensure that those responsible are held to account," he said. "The safety of passengers, drivers and the wider public must remain the absolute priority."
Police have appealed for information following the incident on New Years Eve. "We are also appealing to parents to know where your children are and what they are doing. It is very fortunate on this occasion injury wasn't caused to a passenger or even more importantly the driver. It just doesn't bear thinking about if the bus had lost control. If you can assist to identify the persons involved please contact us on 101 and quoting the reference 1204 of 31/12/25 or anonymously by contacting the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
