Two arrests after "unacceptable" abusive behaviour on bus to Athlone

Irish Rail has apologised to passengers on one of its bus transfers to Athlone on Saturday evening after they experienced what it described as "completely unacceptable, disruptive, and abusive" behaviour from others on board the bus.

The incident occurred on a replacement bus transfer from Dublin to Athlone, which was put in place due to improvement works that were being carried out on parts of the Dublin to Galway railway line over the weekend.

During the journey, a tirade of racist and sexually-explicit abuse was directed at a female passenger primarily, whilst other passengers had to intervene to help protect those on board the service.

One passenger told the Westmeath Independent that people on the bus were left shaken and upset by the incident, which went on for well over 30 minutes.

The service was operated by a private bus company on behalf of Irish Rail. It linked up with a train that then brought Galway-bound passengers westwards from Athlone on Saturday night.

Gardai, who had been contacted by passengers on board the bus, were waiting at the station in Athlone when the bus arrived there, between 10 and 10.30pm on Saturday.

A local Garda spokesperson said two men in their early 30s, with addresses in the Dublin area, were arrested at the station and have since been charged with public order offences.

They are due to appear before Athlone District Court on Wednesday, June 3.

Irish Rail spokesperson Barry Kenny said its staff in Athlone provided assistance to those who were upset by the ordeal they endured during the bus journey.

"We apologise to customers on board the bus transfer who experienced completely unacceptable, disruptive, and abusive behaviour from the individuals in question," said Mr Kenny.

"Our staff at Athlone assisted customers who were upset by the incident and we have been in contact with a number of customers subsequently who had provided contact details.

"We are thankful to the Gardaí for their swift response in attending at Athlone and making arrests, and we will be assisting them with their investigation."