The fate of the first bus off the assembly line at the Bombardier factory in Shannon is put to verse.
On 10 November 1980, Minister for Transport Albert Reynolds launched the first bus asembled at the Coras Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) Bombardier plant at Shannon in County Clare. A series of mishaps began when the first bus off the assembly line would not start electricians and mechanics were busy replacing a battery.
When the minister cracked a ceremonial champagne bottle against the side of the new bus, Mayor of Limerick, Alderman Clem Casey was drenched in alcohol and suffered a cut forehead.
But like a true mayor stayed in good mood, sure it was probably better than a swim in the nude.
When the new bus carrying the dignitaries left the Bombardier factory for a reception at the Shannon Shamrock Hotel it broke down on route. Albert Reynolds was forced to hitch a lift from his own ministerial car.
The fiasco must have amused General Secretary of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (ATGWU) Matt Merrigan but,
We'll do our best us country yobs, we'll suffer shame but keep our jobs.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 November 1980. The reporter is Andrew Kelly.
