A bus driver dismissed for striking a thief who stole a necklace from a female passenger is now seeking an apology and compensation for lost wages, stating he does not wish to return to his former position.
Mark Hehir, 62, was operating the 206 bus route between Wembley and Maida Vale in north-west London when the incident occurred in June 2024. Metroline, the bus company, argued at a tribunal that Hehir’s response was „excessive“ after the thief, who was captured on CCTV, initiated the altercation by throwing the first punch and was subsequently knocked unconscious.
Over 100,000 individuals have signed a petition advocating for Hehir’s reinstatement, which was upheld in November following a tribunal ruling.
Hehir expressed, „I would be very pleased if Metroline issued an apology and acknowledged that they may have made a mistake. I would like them to compensate me for lost earnings. It is crucial that they recognize their error.“ Both Hehir and the thief were arrested, but Hehir was released without facing further police action.
Public Support and Personal Reflections
The day after the incident on June 25, 2024, Hehir was suspended and required to participate in an investigation. The petition for his reinstatement was initiated by shadow justice minister Dr. Kieran Mullan, who labeled the dismissal as „shameful and unjust.“
Originally from Limerick, Ireland, Hehir remarked on the overwhelming public support he has received since the tribunal’s decision, stating, „I have always believed my actions were justified, and it appears that 99.5% of people concur with me. I am actively looking for negative feedback but have yet to find any; the response has been overwhelmingly positive.“ An online fundraising campaign for Hehir has garnered over £26,000.
Health Complications and Political Backing
Hehir revealed that he spent six days in the hospital following the incident due to an infection caused by the thief’s bite. He stated, „I ended up in ICU and underwent two surgeries on my hand due to the infection. The surgeon indicated that I was very close to losing my hand if I had not sought treatment promptly.“
Support for Hehir has also come from various politicians, including shadow transport minister Richard Holden and Susan Hall, leader of the Conservative group on the London Assembly, who have written to Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan urging for serious consideration of either reinstatement or appropriate compensation.
A spokesperson for Metroline commented, „The tribunal has confirmed that the dismissal was fair.“
