A Garda sergeant said he was forced to take home three of the children, who had special needs, and their teacher in the patrol car and transport them home. Photograph: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via GettyA bus company owner has been fined €1,800 after a teacher and three children with special needs had to be taken home in a Garda patrol car because their schoolbus had so many defects. The court heard the minibus, which was licensed to Bus Éireann, had eight serious defects including badly worn tyres and no back-brakes when stopped. The inspector, who was in court, found the minibus had eight serious defects and the vehicle was impounded. Sgt Muldoon said he was then forced to take three of the children, who had special needs, and their teacher in the patrol car and transport them to their homes.

Source: The Irish Times January 14, 2026 17:49 UTC