Abuse of the most vulnerable

Just once a week, a small bus makes its winding journey from Castlepollard to Mullingar through the isolated rural landscape of north Westmeath.Starting up the Coole Road, the reliable engine drives through narrow laneways, down overgrown boreens and through miles of uninhabited countryside. The tiny places where it stops are still known by names they have been known for hundreds of years.This is a rural link bus and it provides a service to Coole, Lismaccfrey, Streete, Rathowen, Rathaspic, Ballinalack and Bunbrosna into Mullingar. Last week one of the An Bord Snip Nua's recommendations was an end to government support for the rural transport scheme.Bus driver, Martin Fagan, describes his run as a lifeline for the passengers and reacts with cold anger at the idea that the government might cut this service to make savings:"There are no bankers or property developers on this bus. Just elderly, vulnerable people, who have no other way to get in and out of Mullingar to get their shopping. I drive this route and I could go for miles between houses with nothing else around and some of these people have no family at all. They are dependent on this bus and me not just for transport but for human contact and to give them the opportunity to get out of their home and mix with other people. To think that the government would cull this service is unspeakably vile but they should know we will not be silenced, we will voice our anger everywhere."This service exists throughout North Westmeath, ferrying those who have no transport from rural areas into Mullingar. The recommendation that this service could be cut has been described by the Moate-based Irish Rural Link (IRL) as a "blueprint for abandoning rural Ireland".IRL Chief Executive Seamus Boland said "The proposals have not considered the environmental, social or economic sustainability of rural communities. The loss of a dedicated Government department would be a significant blow to rural development and the hardworking local community groups it supports."Elderly passengers described their fears at losing their service. "I would have to get a taxi into Mullingar and that would cost me up to €40. I can't afford that so what will I do?" asked Agnes Boylan."I would be lost without this bus it is a lifeline. Not just getting into Mullingar but seeing Martin coming. He looks after us all so well and makes sure we get e Cllr. Ruth Illingworth verything we need. This has made such a big difference to my life and I cannot imagine not having the bus or people we trust helping us," said Mary Boyle from Castlepollard.Maura Cox from Rathowen told the Westmeath Examiner that they did not have the luxury of a Mercedes to get around and the least they could expect is a bus: "There are 33,000 millionaires in this country. Let the government make cuts to their salaries or the TD's wages and give up their state cars before they take away our bus."