A man has died and three people have been injured, one seriously, after a bus drove down a pedestrianised street in Dublin city this afternoon.
Gardaí said the man was declared dead at the scene on North Earl Street. The three people in hospital are said to have "injuries of various severity".
They said they were "not in a position to provide any further information on casualties at this early stage".
The 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 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 that "Dubliners are shell-shocked and saddened" by the "awfully distressing" incident.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said his thoughts were with those injured and bereaved by this afternoon's incident.
Speaking in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, Mr Martin said he understood that there was "one fatality at the moment and quite a number injured, so our thoughts are with all of those who've been affected and impacted by a very serious accident".
He also paid tribute to emergency services who were attending the scene and said he would be updated further on the accident later in the afternoon.
Dublin Central TDs Mary Lou McDonald and Gary Gannon both expressed their shock at the incident.
"My thoughts are with the family of the deceased and with all those injured in this horrific incident," said Sinn Féin leader Ms McDonald.
Mr Gannon wished "all those who are injured a speedy recovery."
Gardaí have appointed a Senior Investigative Officer to lead the investigation.
They also appealed to people not to share photographs or videos of the incident, but asked that they make them available to gardaí at Store Street Garda Station.
"Anyone with information about this incident who was in the area of North Earl Street between 12:15pm and 12:45pm can contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."
Additional reporting: Róisín Cullen
