Sacked Bus Driver Mark Hehir Demands Apology Amid Widespread Support

LONDON (Azat TV) – Mark Hehir, a former London bus driver who was dismissed after chasing and apprehending a thief in June 2024, is now publicly demanding an apology and compensation from his former employer, Metroline. This call comes after an employment tribunal upheld Metroline’s decision to sack him, a ruling that has ignited widespread public sympathy and political support for Mr. Hehir, who suffered severe injuries during the incident.

Mr. Hehir, 62, originally from Limerick, Ireland, but working in north-west London, has stated he would be ‘very happy’ if Metroline acknowledged they ‘might have got it wrong’ and provided compensation for lost earnings. However, he has firmly rejected any possibility of returning to the company, citing a lack of support for drivers in challenging situations.

Mark Hehir’s Dismissal and Public Outcry

The controversy stems from an incident on June 25, 2024, when Mr. Hehir was driving the 206 bus between Wembley and Maida Vale. A man boarded the bus, snatched a necklace from a female passenger, and fled. Acting instinctively, Mr. Hehir pursued the thief, retrieved the necklace, and returned it to the passenger. The situation escalated when the thief returned; Mr. Hehir, in self-defense, struck the man once, rendering him unconscious, and then restrained him for nearly half an hour until authorities arrived.

The day after the incident, Metroline suspended Mr. Hehir and launched an investigation. At a subsequent disciplinary hearing, he faced allegations of ‘bringing the company into disrepute by physically assaulting a passenger’ and ‘failing to protect his and his passengers’ safety by leaving the bus unattended with engine running and chasing an assailant.’ Mr. Hehir maintained that he had acted instinctively, leaving the bus doors open and the handbrake on, and that his use of force was proportionate and necessary, a view supported by a case review note from Detective Constable Waddington, which was presented at the hearing.

Despite this, Alina Gioroc, an operations manager who heard the disciplinary case, concluded that Mr. Hehir’s actions constituted gross misconduct. Ms. Gioroc stated her belief that the man intended to apologize upon his return and that Mr. Hehir’s response, including pushing the man and restraining him for an extended period, was an ‘excessive use of force and disproportionate.’ Consequently, Mr. Hehir was dismissed without notice.

An employment tribunal in Watford later upheld Metroline’s decision, concluding that the company’s belief in Mr. Hehir’s gross misconduct was ‘held on reasonable grounds and was within the band of reasonable responses open to an employer.’

The Incident’s Severe Aftermath for Mark Hehir

The physical toll on Mr. Hehir was significant. Following the June 2024 incident, he spent six days in hospital, including time in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), battling a severe infection in his hand that originated from the thief’s tooth. He underwent two operations and, according to his surgeon, was ‘very, very close to losing his hand’ if he had not received timely medical attention. Mr. Hehir expressed profound disappointment that during his hospitalization, not a single person from Metroline’s HR department or management contacted him to inquire about his well-being, describing it as a ‘disgrace.’

This lack of support from his employer, combined with the subsequent tribunal ruling, has solidified his decision not to return to Metroline, even if offered reinstatement. He currently works in a bar, having found the public’s reaction to his story ‘incredible’ since it gained widespread attention.

Political and Community Support for the Former Bus Driver

Mr. Hehir’s case has resonated deeply with the public and garnered significant political backing. An online petition, initiated by Shadow Justice Minister Dr. Kieran Mullan, calling for Mr. Hehir’s reinstatement or compensation, has amassed more than 100,000 signatures. Additionally, a GoFundMe page established in his support has raised over £20,000 (€23,096).

Several prominent politicians have publicly supported Mr. Hehir. Dr. Mullan, alongside Shadow Transport Minister Richard Holden and Susan Hall, the leader of the Conservative group on the London Assembly, collectively wrote to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, urging ‘serious consideration of reinstatement or appropriate compensation.’ Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson also weighed in on X (formerly Twitter), criticizing the sacking, while Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick called for Metroline to reinstate Mr. Hehir and apologize for their ‘disgraceful conduct.’

Despite the overwhelming public and political pressure, a Metroline spokesperson reiterated the company’s position, stating that ‘The tribunal has upheld the dismissal as fair.’ Mr. Hehir, while grateful for the public’s support, maintains he does not see himself as a ‘hero’ but rather as someone who acted justly, a sentiment he believes 99.5% of people share.

The widespread public and political support for Mark Hehir’s actions, despite the employment tribunal’s ruling, underscores a societal tension between strict corporate liability policies and the public’s expectation for individuals to act decisively in moments of crisis. This case highlights the complex ethical and practical dilemmas faced by front-line employees and their employers when personal safety and immediate action intersect with workplace conduct regulations.