Group vows to continue fighting for bus service

Rathcoole resident, Roberta Neely, formed the group after her son started the school in September.

Roberta realised there was no direct bus service provided for Hazelwood students travelling from areas including Rathcoole and Monkstown.

Commenting on the issue, a Translink spokesperson said: “We’re not in a position to provide additional dedicated school service from Rathcoole area for 9am arrival and 3:30pm departure.

“There is a sufficient service bus provision for this area both in the morning and afternoon times. We’ve liaised with the Education Authority and they also agree current service bus provision is sufficient and agree the Grays Lane stop at Shore Road offers a safe entry into the school premises.”

Speaking to the Times, Roberta said: “As a community we are taking this further and have a solicitor looking at this for us. We have also been liaising with political representatives to try and bring this service for our children.

“A Year 8 Hazelwood pupil from Rathcoole was knocked down outside the school at around 3:30pm on March 16. I believe that if Translink had put a bus on the way they do for other areas, this young boy would not have been injured.”

Detailing the incident, a police spokesperson said: “Police are appealing for help to identify a small red car, possibly a Vauxhall Corsa displaying an “R” plate being driven by a young female.

“The vehicle was travelling down the Whitewell Road towards the Shore Road when it struck a Hazelwood pupil as he was attempting to cross the road. This resulted in him sustaining a broken ankle.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on the non emergency number 101.