'Reckless' rollerblader caught on camera 'bus-surfing' during rush hour faces prosecution

A "reckless idiot" who was seen rollerblading from the back of a Dublin bus at the height of the evening rush hour could face charges.

Dublin Bus said it is investigating the incident, in which a young man was captured on video as he attached himself to the back of the 38A bus on O'Connell Street.

He can be seen gliding along on rollerblades as the double- decker drives along the busy street on Monday evening.

The footage was captured on commuter Ciaran Farrelly's mobile phone as he was returning home to Santry from work at about 5.45pm.

"I saw two lads hovering around the back of the bus. One of them grabbed on, it seemed mental," he said.

"It was like something from a video game.

The guy seemed so chilled, looking around at the traffic and buses, not a care in the world.

"The bus drivers weren't happy, as you can tell from the beeps, but the onlookers were enjoying it."

Neither Dublin Bus nor the Road Safety Authority (RSA) said there was anything amusing about the incident, which lasted about 20 seconds.

"It's idiotic behaviour," said RSA spokesman Brian Farrell.

"You're basically playing Russian roulette with your life. It's absolutely crazy stuff and it's irresponsible."

A Dublin Bus spokesperson said the company is reviewing CCTV footage of the incident and has made a formal complaint to gardai.

"It's extremely dangerous," she said.

"It could result in serious injury or death. It's just really reckless."

South Dublin county councillor Charlie O'Connor spoke out last week against the growing problem of "scutting".

Some Dublin Bus routes in Tallaght and Finglas were suspended after 6pm due to people foolishly clinging to the backs of moving buses.

It has become a growing problem since the redesign of the SG Dublin Bus model in 2014, which facilitates easy access to the back of the vehicle, said Mr O'Connor.

"Scutting, as it is seemingly known, is a new trend that encourages people to cling to the back of a bus.

"It is not hard to imagine the danger and probability for a serious accident happening.

"It's a terrible shame that regular commuters and bus users are unable to enjoy the new model rolled out by Dublin Bus over the past number of months.

Mr O'Connor is also a member of Dublin Bus-Luas Community Forum.