Quick Read
- A Bus Éireann double-decker bus struck pedestrians in Dublin city centre.
- One person was killed, and three others were injured and hospitalized.
- The bus was not in service at the time of the incident.
- Over 20 firefighter/paramedics and other emergency services responded to the scene.
- The area around North Earl Street was cordoned off, and Luas Green Line services were suspended.
DUBLIN (Azat TV) – One person has died and three others sustained injuries after a Bus Éireann double-decker, which was not in service, collided with pedestrians in Dublin city centre on Thursday afternoon, February 5, 2026. The incident, which occurred shortly after 12:30 PM at the junction of Talbot Street and Marlborough Street on North Earl Street, prompted a major emergency response and has led to significant disruptions in the capital.
Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan confirmed the fatality to the Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament, stating that the injured individuals were being treated in hospital. Authorities are currently treating the incident as a road crash, with investigations underway to determine the exact circumstances.
Details Emerge from Dublin Bus Collision
The collision involved a Bus Éireann double-decker vehicle that was confirmed by the operator to be out of service at the time of the incident. Images from the scene showed a police cordon, a forensics tent, and the front window of the bus appearing smashed, indicating the severity of the impact. The incident unfolded in a pedestrianised section of North Earl Street, raising immediate concerns about public safety in high-traffic urban areas.
Bus Éireann has extended its full cooperation to the relevant authorities, stating it will provide any additional assistance required for the ongoing investigation. The company reiterated that the vehicle was not carrying passengers when the crash occurred.
Emergency Response and Area Closures After Dublin Crash
Emergency services were dispatched swiftly to the scene following reports of a road traffic collision involving a bus and pedestrians. Dublin Fire Brigade reported that over 20 firefighter/paramedics and advanced paramedics responded, utilizing four engines, two emergency tenders with heavy rescue tools, and an advanced paramedic response car. Two district officers, along with four ambulances and a rapid response vehicle from the National Ambulance Service, also attended. Gardaí (Irish police) quickly established cordons, closing Talbot Street from Gardiner Street and Marlborough Street from Cathal Brugha Street, asking the public to avoid the area.
The incident also caused significant disruption to public transport. Rail services on the Luas Green Line were suspended between Parnell Street and St Stephen’s Green, further impacting travel in the city centre as emergency crews continued their work.
Official Reactions to Dublin City Centre Incident
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan expressed his regret over the fatality and extended his thoughts to the family of the deceased, as well as wishing a speedy recovery to those hospitalized. Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam, echoed these sentiments, conveying his thoughts to the injured and their families during what he described as a difficult time.
Mary Lou McDonald, leader of Sinn Féin and an elected politician representing central Dublin, stated she was ‘devastated to learn of this terrible incident in the heart of our city’ and thanked the emergency responders for their swift actions. Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central, Gary Gannon, also conveyed his thoughts to the victims and their loved ones, describing the event as a ‘shocking and tragic incident which has rocked our community.’
The coordinated and rapid response by emergency services, alongside immediate official statements, underscores the gravity of the incident and the city’s commitment to managing the aftermath of such unexpected public safety crises.