SIPTU has called for a full investigation into how footage of an incident last Friday where a female bus driver and member of the Union was shot with an airgun while working in the Limerick area has managed to be widely distributed on social media.
SIPTU Transport, Aviation, Energy and Construction Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “Our member was traumatised by the incident on Friday but was thankfully not badly injured. She now has to deal with an unwarranted invasion of her privacy with this major breach of trust which has resulted in video of the incident being widely shared on social media.
“We are doing what we can to support our member during this difficult period. There must be a full and swift investigation into how this video managed to be made public.”
He added: “We are also renewing our call for an urgent meeting of all stakeholders, including unions, the transport companies, the National Transport Authority and officials from the Department of Transport and Department of Justice to discuss the introduction of a police unit focused on curtailing the worsening level of antisocial behaviour on our public transport system.”
SIPTU Organiser, Andrew Quigley, said: “Our member has now had to face two very traumatic events in quick succession. She is deeply upset at the release of this footage and asks all responsible people to desist from sharing it and where possible remove it from their social media platforms.
“We are in discussions with the company and others concerning how this CCTV footage from a bus onboard camera has been released in such a manner. SIPTU is campaigning for Respect for Transport Workers so they can work in an environment free of the threat of antisocial behaviour and violence. Our members should also feel secure in their workplace and that data involving them will not be released in such a manner.”
He added: We must not only have an investigation into how this occurred but also measures must be found to ensure it cannot happen again.”