Bus driver beaten during Rathcoole riot
A bus driver was trailed from his vehicle and attacked during rioting in Newtownabbey on Monday night.
Petrol bombs were also thrown and six cars were hijacked during the trouble, which last for almost four hours.
Unite union representative Michael Dornan has threatened to end the bus services in Newtownabbey because of the disturbances.
“It was a sinister, callous and brutal attack, carried out on a person carrying out his work.
“These people boarded the bus and poured petrol inside. They then trailed him off the bus and beat him,” he told UTV.
“The driver has sustained a facial injury during the attack and we have to warn the general public that we will not allow our members safety to be compromised during civil unrest,” he added.
The trouble erupted when a large crowed gathered at O’Neill Road, near the Rathcoole estate at around 8.30pm.
Petrol bombs were thrown at police and a number of PSNI landrovers were damaged.
Several cars and a bus were hijacked.
A PSNI spokesperson said searches were carried out in the Rathcoole area on Monday and a 34 year-old man was arrested and later released.
Suspected cannabis was seized during the raids.
Ulster Unionist MLA for the area Basil McCrea said around 250 people were involved in the disorder.
“Attacks on vulnerable groups in the local estates and the rioting in general are completely unacceptable and should be condemned by all.
“Those with influence in these areas should explain the damage it does to the local community in particular and our society as a whole.
“Who will invest in these areas now and who will replace the burnt out bus?” Mr McCrea said.
SDLP councillor Noreen McClelland says the people of Rathcoole Estate have been left “shaken” following the disorder.
“Many people living in this estate were extremely frightened in their own homes last night as they watched in horror as a small group of thugs carried went about this destructive tirade,” Ms McClelland said.
“This is totally unacceptable and I appeal to people to please cooperate with the police in identifying those responsible for this turmoil. Whatever the motivation for this rampage, these actions are completely and utterly unjustifiable.”
Alliance councillor for Newtownabbey described the trouble as despicable.
“We need calm in the area to allow people to get on with their lives free from disruption and fear. It’s despicable that a small number of people can bring themselves to wreak havoc in their local community.
“Those behind this trouble must be caught and I appeal to anyone with information on last night’s events to contact police immediately.”
The PSNI say they are working to identify those involved in the riots.
The area was reported to be calm at around 1am on Tuesday morning after police worked with community representatives.
