Main points
- A bus has crashed in Dublin city centre, fatally injuring one person and hospitalising three others.
- The incident took place at the junction of North Earl Street and Marlborough Street.
- Luas services have now re-opened, but are operating with delays.
“May I express my deepest condolences to the family of the person who lost their life in today’s accident in Dublin,” said President Catherine Connolly, reports Political Correspondent Cormac McQuinn.
“May I further thank the emergency services for their swift attendance on the scene and send my best wishes to those injured and wish them a speedy recovery, as well as to all those impacted by today’s event,” she added in a statement.
A spokesman for Bus Éireann said the organisation was deeply saddened to confirm that a fatality had occurred as a result of today’s incident. They added that a number of people have also sustained injuries.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the person who has passed away, as well as with those who have been injured and affected by today’s incident.”
Speaking this evening, Bus Éireann CEO Jean O’Sullivan said: “We are profoundly saddened by this tragic incident. On behalf of everyone at Bus Éireann, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, and our thoughts are with all those affected at this very difficult time.”
Bus Éireann said it is offering its full support to the relevant authorities as their investigations continue and will provide any additional assistance required.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: “I am truly shocked and saddened to learn of today’s tragic incident.”
He extended his “deepest condolences to the families and friends of the person who has lost their life and to those injured in this horrific incident”, as reported by Political Correspondent Cormac McQuinn.
The Minister added: “They are in my thoughts at this difficult time. I am being kept informed on the latest developments. Emergency services and Bus Éireann personnel attended the scene.
“Bus Éireann is offering its full support to the relevant authorities and will provide any additional assistance required.”
O’Brien paid tribute “to the men and women in the emergency services who have responded to this incident in the most professional manner”.
Tánaiste Simon Harris has taken to X to express that he is “deeply saddened and shocked” by the bus crash that took place in Dublin city earlier today.
“My thoughts are with the family of the person killed and with those injured.”
He also said, “I am very grateful to our emergency services for their response.”
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam has said that one of the three people taken to hospital had been “seriously injured”.
Appeals have been made for members of the public who were at the scene of the Talbot Street bus crash not to post videos online, reports Parliamentary Correspondent Marie O’Halloran.
Sinn Féin’s Dublin Mid-West TD Mark Ward, speaking in the Dáil, urged people to “refrain from sharing images and videos on social media”. He added: “I know somebody that has happened to before and it’s an absolutely horrible way to find out that a loved one was involved in a tragic incident, and so I would ask people to refrain from that.”
Offering his prayers to everyone involved in the tragedy, he also thanked the first responders at the scene. “I don’t think you often get enough thanks from us in this House for being there and assist people in this tragic time.”
Independent Dublin Bay North TD Barry Heneghan supported the Sinn Féin TD’s call for those at the scene to “not be sharing anything like this online”. He said gardaí should be allowed to investigate.
He too thanked gardaí, ambulance members “and also the Order of Malta”, members of whose Fairview/Marino branch were in the public gallery.
Minister of State for Transport Noel Grealish also backed the TDs’ calls for people not to share videos of the bus crash online.
Understanding the Pedestrianisation of North Earl Street
North Earl Street was pedestrianised just before Christmas 1980 as part of an initiative to draw shoppers to the northside, two years before the Grafton Street was made traffic free, writes Dublin editor Olivia Kelly.
The North Earl Street scheme was put in place as part of the formalisation of the pedestrianisation of Henry Street, which was subject to a trial pedestrian project in the 1970s that was never reversed.
Similarly, North Earl Street’s pedestrianisation was implemented on a trial basis, with Dublin Corporation, the forerunner to the city council, nervous at the time of implementing permanent traffic restrictions.
Unlike Henry Street, which stretches for some 300m on the opposite side of O’Connell Street, North Earl Street is relatively short, less than 130m long, and there was never a concerted campaign to see its pedestrianisation reversed. For its short length it had a strong mix of businesses. It was anchored for more than 100 years by department store Boyers, and a branch of Dunnes Stores opened next door in the 1960s. Opposite those was the side entrance to Clerys department store. At the O’Connell Street corner was the Kylemore Café, and a few doors down from it, Ann’s Bakery and Madigans Bar. The Street deteriorated after the closure of Boyers and the Kylemore, though both were eventually replaced by other businesses.
There have, over the years, been suggestions that the pedestrianisation should be extended eastwards to Talbot Street, to draw people down from O’Connell Street to Connolly Station on Amiens Street. However, while traffic calming measures, including planting and road narrowing works, have been introduced on Talbot Street, it has remained open to vehicles.
Traffic heading west on Talbot Street must turn left onto Marlborough Street and head south towards the Liffey. However, unlike at the O’Connell Street end, there are no bollards or barriers blocking vehicles from entering North Earl Street from Talbot Street or Marlborough Street, with the pedestrianisation enforced by traffic lights and signage.
Serious incidents involving vehicles entering North Earl Street, outside of early morning delivery hours, are rare. However, just over 20 years ago, in September 2005, two British tourists crossed from North Earl Street on to O’Connell Street and were struck by a double decker bus. Maree Buckland (60) was killed and her friend Jagdish Mangat (56) was injured. The inquest into Buckland’s death recommended the crossing be re-evaluated by the council with improved sign-posting and clearer road-markings.
An adult man has been confirmed by gardaí, as the one fatality following the bus crash on North Earl Street. He was declared dead at the scene.
Three adults were taken to hospital for treatment of injuries of various severity.
Gardaí are not in a position to provide any further information on casualties at this early stage.
Local traffic and pedestrian diversions are in place. Restrictions are in place around the scene, which has been preserved for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.
A senior investigative officer has been appointed to lead the investigation from an incident room at Store Street Garda station.
Gardaí have requested that anyone with photographs or video of the incident refrain from sharing them, but make them available to the Garda investigation team at Store Street Garda Station.
Anyone with information about this incident who was in the area of North Earl Street between 12:15pm and 12:45pm can contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I’m aware that there’s been a serious accident in Dublin, reports Political Correspondent Cormac McQuinn.
“I understand there’s one fatality at the moment and quite a number of injured so our thoughts are with all of those who have been affected.”
Speaking to reporters at the opening of new social homes in Ballinasloe, Martin also thanked the first responders at the incident in Dublin city centre and said he will be updated on the situation during the afternoon.
Bus crash scene ‘very traumatic’
David Hall described the scene as “very difficult and very traumatic” when he got to the location of the crash as the emergency services were arriving.
A paramedic by profession, Hall is also CEO of iCare Housing and Lifeline Ambulance Service.
While there, he said there was a lot of confusion, noise and pain.
“Lots of people were clearly distressed. There were unpleasant scenes.
“A bus in a pedestrian zone suddenly is very harrowing.”
He said the scene was like a “call centre” with many people making and receiving calls.
He said it was “a very tragic accident”.
“It’s an unpleasant environment, no one ever wants to experience.”
He said Dublin is “very unique” in that Dublin Fire Brigade men and women are also paramedics. “It’s a very beneficial construct.”
He is asking members of the public not to share images of injured people, saying “it is not okay” and is “disrespectful”.
Dublin Bus diversions in place
Dublin Bus has said on X, diversions are in place on route 130 which services Talbot Street to Castle Avenue.
Luas reopens
The Luas Green Line has fully reopened following the crash that took place earlier on North Earl Street in Dublin city, but is operating with delays.
Labour TD for Dublin Central Marie Sherlock said: “I want to express my deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the individual who passed away in this tragic incident on North Earl Street this afternoon.
“My thoughts are with those who were injured in this awful incident, their loved ones who are anxiously awaiting news, and express my sincere wishes for their recovery. I am thinking too of those who have witnessed this distressing incident.
“I want to thank sincerely and send my solidarity to the members of An Garda Síochána, Dublin Fire Brigade, the ambulance service, our local hospitals, and all first responders who responded to this incident,” she said.
Kenneth, who did not give his surname, told RTÉ’s Liveline, he heard a “really big noise” outside where he works at CE Fones on North Earl Street.
He said he had no idea what the noise was.
He went outside and rang the emergency services and said he saw one or two people under the bus.
He said the “entire street” is closed and he was asked by gardaí to close his shop.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan confirmed in Leinster House that there has been a fatality from the bus crash on North Earl Street on the northside of Dublin city.
Speaking in the Dáil, he said he wanted to update politicians “about the unfolding accident on North Earl Street, where there’s been an incident with a bus and a pedestrian”.
“I regret to say that there has been a fatality there, and three others have been taken to hospital. Obviously, our thoughts are with the family of the person who has been fatally injured and indeed with the people who are in hospital.”
A local business owner said he heard a noise and people outside his business went outside to see what had happened, reports Jade Wilson.
“I saw the bus mounted a footpath. It obviously took a wrong turn on the route. That street is meant to be pedestrianised. People ran down to help and then loads more were coming out to see what happened. I’m already getting sent on videos of it. I don’t want even to see them, it’s horrendous. For everyone involved,” he said.
“I am aware of a serious incident at the junction of North Earl Street and Talbot Street this afternoon,” said the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam.
“All emergency services are in attendance and responding decisively. I am receiving ongoing updates from Dublin Fire Brigade and am assured that the full emergency response is in place.
“My thoughts are with those who have been injured and with their families at this difficult time.
“I want to reassure Dubliners that the situation is being actively managed, and I would ask the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to carry out their work.”
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “I am devastated to learn of this terrible incident in the heart of our city.”
“My thoughts are with the family of the deceased and all of the people who were struck or caught up in this collision, with their families, friends and loved ones, and with everyone affected by what must be a very frightening experience.”
“We thank gardaí, Dublin Fire Brigade, ambulance crews and all first responders for their professionalism and courage,” she added.
“At this stage, our priority must be the wellbeing and recovery of those hurt, and the full support of their families.”
She urged anyone who witnessed the incident to follow An Garda Síochána’s guidance and to assist with their inquiries.
Talbot Street is closed from Gardiner Street. Marlborough Street is closed from Cathal Brugha Street.
Local diversions are in place.
Luas Green Line services are not operating between Parnell and St Stephen’s Green due to the incident. Services are only operating between Broombridge and Parnell and Brides Glen and St Stephen’s Green.
At about 2.20pm, the last fire brigade left the scene.
Gardaí at the scene said the road will remain closed for another few hours but the Luas is to resume running shortly, reports Jade Wilson.
One dead, three hospitalised following bus crash, says Minister
One person has died and three others have been taken to hospital after a bus crashed into pedestrians on Dublin’s North Earl Street, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has said. – PA
In a statement, Bus Éireann confirmed that one of its “vehicles was involved in an incident in the Talbot Street/North Earl Street area of Dublin city”.
It said the vehicle was not in service at the time of the incident.
“Emergency services and Bus Éireann personnel attended the scene. Bus Éireann is offering its full support to the relevant authorities and will provide any additional assistance required.”
Dublin Fire Brigade said it received reports of a road-traffic collision involving a bus and pedestrians at 12.32pm.
More than 20 firefighters, paramedics and advanced paramedics responded on four engines, two emergency tenders with heavy rescue tools and an advanced paramedic response car, it said.
“Two district officers also responded to the incident along with four ambulances and a rapid response vehicle from the National Ambulance Service,” said Dublin City Council, which has responsibility for the fire brigade.
The Luas has shut down power in the area and ESB staff have been requested to the scene.
“We are asking the public to please avoid Marlborough Street, North Earl Street, Talbot Street and surrounding areas,” Dublin Fire Brigade said.
“As always, we are also appealing to the public not to share images of the scene or incident.”
Bus crashes on North Earl Street in Dublin city
A Bus Éireann double-decker bus has crashed in Dublin city centre, injuring an unknown number of people.
The incident took place at the junction of North Earl Street and Marlborough Street.
A number of Garda cars, Dublin Fire Brigade units and ambulance personnel are on the scene.
“Gardaí and emergency services are at the scene of a serious road traffic incident involving a bus on North Earl Street, Dublin 1,” a Garda statement said.
