Bus Driver Dismissed After Heroic Act Sparks Widespread Support and Petition
More than 125,000 individuals have rallied behind a petition supporting a former bus driver who was dismissed after confronting a thief who snatched a passenger's necklace. The incident has drawn significant public sympathy and political attention, highlighting concerns over employment practices and justice.
Victim Expresses Guilt Over Driver's Dismissal
Katalin Kaszas, a 46-year-old passenger, described feeling "so guilty" upon learning that Mark Hehir, the 62-year-old bus driver, lost his job for his actions. Recalling the theft, Ms Kaszas explained, "When I was getting on the bus, a young man was getting off on the front door. He was running past me, I thought he was going to push me off the bus. He just grabbed my necklace and ran with it." She added that she realised what had happened only after the thief fled, prompting Mr Hehir to pursue him.
Confrontation and Self-Defence Incident
After Mr Hehir returned the necklace to Ms Kaszas, the thief reboarded the bus, leading to a tense confrontation. Ms Kaszas recounted, "The guy was coming up… I was like 'No, no, no, stay away from me, I don’t want to do anything with you'. He looked very, very shifty, I did not feel comfortable at all." She felt threatened and backed away, at which point Mr Hehir intervened. The situation escalated, with Ms Kaszas witnessing a punch, the thief falling to the floor with blood, and her calling the police.
An employment tribunal detailed that on June 25, 2024, Mr Hehir was driving the 206 bus route between Wembley and Maida Vale in north-west London. The tribunal found that Mr Hehir acted in self-defence, hitting the thief once and knocking him unconscious before restraining him on the pavement until police arrived. Both men were arrested, but Mr Hehir faced no further police action, with a review stating his use of force was "proportionate and necessary in the circumstances in the defence of himself and the female passenger."
Public and Political Backing for the Dismissed Driver
In response to the dismissal, a petition amassing over 125,000 signatures has been launched, and a GoFundMe page has raised more than £28,000 for Mr Hehir. Justice Secretary David Lammy addressed the House of Commons, calling Mr Hehir "a hero and deserves our support," and noting he is closely following the case. Shadow justice minister Kieran Mullan, who invited Mr Hehir to parliament, criticised Metroline, stating, "I think Metroline need to come out and apologise, Mark deserves an apology, it’s quite clear they’ve gotten this wrong."
Company's Stance and Tribunal Ruling
Metroline, the employer, has maintained its position, with a spokesperson asserting, "The tribunal has upheld the dismissal as fair." This ruling came after the tribunal reviewed the incident and supported the company's decision to sack Mr Hehir, a move first reported by the Press Association. Despite this, the public outcry and support from figures like Mr Lammy and Mr Mullan underscore a broader debate over fairness and safety in such situations.
Mr Hehir, originally from Limerick, Ireland, and now residing in north-west London, continues to receive backing from the community and politicians alike, as the case raises questions about corporate policies and employee protections in the face of criminal acts.
