'Hero' Bus Driver Reveals Family's Reaction to Controversial Dismissal
Justice Secretary David Lammy has publicly backed a London bus driver, describing him as 'a hero and deserves our support', after an employment tribunal upheld his controversial dismissal. Mark Hehir, 62, was sacked by Metroline following an incident where he chased down a thief to recover a stolen necklace from a passenger.
Public Outcry and Support for the Driver
The tribunal's decision, initially reported by the Press Association, has sparked significant public outcry across the United Kingdom. More than 125,000 people have signed a petition in support of Mr Hehir, while a GoFundMe page has raised over £28,000 to assist him during this challenging period. Speaking this week, Mr Hehir expressed his shock at the ruling, stating he was 'dumbfounded' by the verdict after a lengthy legal process.
Family's Emotional Response Revealed
In a heartfelt revelation, Mr Hehir disclosed that he had not informed his family back in Ireland about the case until recently, wanting to spare them worry, particularly his mother. 'I had to ring my sister last week and told her about it, they were kind of dumbfounded,' he explained. His sister later texted him, noting that the story was 'breaking worldwide' and suggesting their mother needed to know before someone else told her.
When he finally spoke to his mother, she expressed immense pride in his actions but also disappointment that he hadn't confided in her sooner. 'As expected, my mum said she was absolutely, very, very proud of me but at the same time she thought that I should have rang her because she's my mother, that's why she's there,' Mr Hehir recounted. He added that he avoided telling her initially because he knew she would worry excessively about the situation.
Passenger's Account and Feelings of Guilt
Katalin Kaszas, the 46-year-old passenger whose necklace was stolen during the incident, has spoken out about her feelings of guilt after learning Mr Hehir lost his job. Recalling the event, she described how a young man grabbed her necklace as she boarded the bus and ran off, with Mr Hehir immediately giving chase to recover the item. 'I saw Mark running out, running after the guy,' she said.
Ms Kaszas detailed how the thief later returned to the bus, making her feel threatened and uncomfortable. 'He looked very, very shifty, I did not feel comfortable at all. I would say I even felt threatened, so I was backing away, and that's when Mark realised that something is not right here and he stepped in,' she explained. The situation escalated, resulting in an altercation where the thief was knocked to the floor with some blood visible before police were called.
Reacting to Mr Hehir's dismissal, Ms Kaszas stated, 'I think it was unjust. I don't think (Mr Hehir) deserved that. If he doesn't do what he did, anything could have happened to me.' She admitted feeling 'so guilty' and believing it was her fault that the driver faced such severe consequences for his protective actions.
Driver's Personal Toll and Future Hopes
Mr Hehir, originally from Limerick but residing in north-west London, reflected on the personal toll the two-year process has taken on his life. 'I am still processing the fallout and while I am an optimistic person, it does set you back because that's taken two years out of your life,' he said. Despite the public support and political backing from figures like Justice Secretary Lammy, Mr Hehir revealed he seeks an apology and compensation for lost earnings from Metroline but has no desire to return to his former role as a bus driver.
The case continues to highlight broader questions about employee conduct policies, public safety responsibilities, and the recognition of individuals who go beyond their duties to protect others in crisis situations.
