Dublin Bus will stop buses on some west Tallaght bus routes after 6 p.m. tomorrow because of of safety fears, according to the company.
Disturbances in the area on previous Hallowe'en nights have posed a risk to drivers and passengers, the company said. The move has drawn criticism from local public representatives, and has been described as a "retrograde step" which has added to the stigmatisation of Tallaght. Dublin Bus was also accused of failing to publicise the decision properly.
The restrictions begin from 6 p.m. tomorrow, after which buses will halt at the Square, Tallaght. Services along routes 49, 50, 65, 76, 77 and 77A will be affected.
Dublin Bus has also announced the curtailing of services to Ballyfermot and Neilstown tomorrow evening. The 79 will terminate at Cherry Orchard hospital from 6 p.m., while the 76B and 210 will be diverted via Station Road. The 78A and 51B will also be diverted.
A Dublin Bus spokesman said the restrictions were being introduced in the interests of public safety. Buses travelling through west Tallaght have come under attack in previous years, he said. There were also concerns that car theft will increase substantially on Hallowe'en night. Monday morning rush-hour services could be affected if buses were damaged, the spokesman added.
Disturbances in other parts of Dublin over the weekend will be monitored closely by Dublin Bus and services will be diverted away from trouble spots if necessary.
The move was criticised by Minister of State for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Mr Chris Flood. Mr Flood, a TD for Tallaght, described the decision as retrograde.
Local Sinn Fein councillor Mr Sean Crowe said there was no evidence that disturbances in Tallaght over Hallowe'en were more serious than in other parts of the city.
He claimed that a single advertisement placed in the current edition of the Tallaght Echo did not constitute sufficient public notice.
Extra gardai will be on duty in all Dublin divisions and in the larger towns and cities on Hallowe'en night. The National Safety Council has repeated its warning to keep watch on Hallowe'en bonfires and to ensure that children do not come near fireworks.
The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, has cautioned residents in coastal areas against the use of fireworks as they could be mistaken for distress flares. i in Dublin have confiscated illegal fireworks worth more than £25,000 in recent weeks.
Traffic restrictions will operate in the capital ahead of the Samhain '99 Hallowe'en parade, which makes its way from Parnell Square, through O'Connell Street to Temple Bar and Dublin Corporation civic offices between 7 p.m.-8 p.m. tonight. There will be no parking on Parnell Square North from 7 a.m. this morning and Mountjoy Square north will be closed to traffic from 6.30 p.m.