There will be “learnings” for Dublin City Council as a result of the bus crash in the north inner city, including the possibility of placing bollards at the end of North Earl Street, the Lord Mayor of Dublin has said.
Fine Gael Cllr Ray McAdam said he would be discussing the matter with the local authority’s chief executive and chairperson of the mobility and public realms strategic policy committee next week to see “how we can move that forward and ensure that we keep public safety of paramount importance”.
The victim of the collision on North Earl Street on Thursday involving a Bus Éireann bus was named locally as Frank Daly (86), from East Wall in north Dublin.
A framed photograph and flowers were placed on a table at Ann’s Bakery on Mary Street on Friday, where Daly was a regular customer.
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Gardaí are investigating the incident, which resulted in the fatality and three others being injured.
A male pedestrian in his 20s remains in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The woman bus driver, in her 50s, and a female pedestrian in her 30s were also being treated in hospital.
The double-decker bus was not in service at the time and came to a stop against a shop front when it struck a lamp-post.
McAdam said the safety of public areas was something the council continues to monitor.
“Given the increasingly challenged world in which we live ... this is something that we are carefully monitoring,” he said.
“If you look at different pedestrianised streets in the city, there are large planters and things like that, that have been located in certain areas and with public safety in mind. That is something that is constantly being reviewed ... in partnership with the gardaí and other emergency services.”
McAdam said the Garda investigation would inform any action by the council, including the “possibility or feasibility” of bollards being placed at the bottom end of North Earl Street, “a pedestrianised” area.
Gardaí have been trying to determine whether the driver may have suffered a health problem behind the wheel or been trying to take evasive action.
The bus was also due to undergo an examination to determine whether a mechanical problem contributed to the crash.
Bus Éireann said it was offering support to the relevant authorities as the investigation continues.
“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 yesterday’s incident,” said the company on Friday.
Meanwhile, President Catherine Connolly expressed her “condolences to the family” of the person who died and wished those injured a “speedy recovery” on Thursday. She also thanked emergency service workers for their “swift attendance on the scene”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said his “thoughts are with all of those who have been affected”. Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien spoke of his shock upon being informed of the incident.
