One person has died and three others have been hospitalised after a bus drove down a pedestrianised street in Dublin city this afternoon.
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan confirmed that one person died in the incident on Dublin's North Earl Street this afternoon.
He said his thoughts are with the family of the person who was killed and those in hospital.
A Bus Éireann double-decker bus was coming up Talbot street at around 12.30pm to take a left on to the one-way system on to Marlborough Street.
However, the bus appears to have careered across the road and on to the pedestrianised area of North Earl Street.
Bus Éireann confirmed that one of its vehicles had been involved and said that the vehicle was not in service at the time of the incident.
"Emergency services and Bus Éireann personnel attended the scene," it said. "Bus Éireann is offering its full support to the relevant authorities and will provide any additional assistance required."
The area has been cordoned off. Talbot Street is closed from Gardiner Street. Marlborough Street is closed from Cathal Brugha Street and local diversions are in place.
Luas Green Line services were suspended between Parnell Street and St Stephen's Green but resumed, with delays, shortly before 3pm.
Dublin Fire Brigade said over 20 firefighters and paramedics, four engines, two emergency tenders with heavy rescue tools and an advanced paramedic response car were dispatched to the incident.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam said his thoughts were with those who have been injured and their families and said he wanted "to reassure Dubliners that the situation is being actively managed.
"I would ask the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to carry out their work."
Additional reporting: Róisín Cullen
