There has been condemnation after a Translink staff member was assaulted when a fight involving 40 people broke out at a train station on Saturday evening.
Police said the fight started onboard the train before spilling out on to the platform in the Co Derry village of Castlerock.
Five people were arrested following the incident.
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PSNI Inspector Cummings said: “At approximately 6.40pm, we received a report that a fight involving approximately 40 people had broken out on a train and spilled onto the platform.
“A member of Translink staff was assaulted during the incident and damage was caused to a car parked in the vicinity of the station.
“A 23-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, has been released unconditionally. A 64-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of common assault, has been released without charge.
“A man aged 30 arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a woman aged 39 arrested on suspicion of common assault have been given a community resolution notice and 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of common assault, has been released pending report to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).”
The incident has been condemned by both the Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd and Translink.
Minister O’Dowd said: “This is another appalling attack on staff on an essential public transport service. Staff at Translink have the right to work without fear of being attacked or abused.
“I strongly condemn this latest despicable incident. Translink operate around 12,500 services a day and thankfully incidents like this do not happen very often.
“My thoughts and best wishes are with the staff member who was assaulted. Anyone with information about the attack on the staff member or the public disorder which occurred should contact the PSNI or Translink, who are offering an award for information which leads to a conviction.”
A Translink spokesperson said: “We utterly condemn this incident, where a member of our staff was assaulted on the 5.38pm from Derry~Londonderry towards Belfast yesterday evening.
“The safety of our staff and passengers is our top priority. All our staff have the right to work without fear of abuse or violence and we are ensuring our colleague is offered all appropriate support.
“We are assisting the PSNI with their investigation, including provision of CCTV from the train, Castlerock station and body cam footage.
“We offer a reward of up to £1,000 for anyone who is prepared to provide evidence which leads to a conviction.”
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have any information in relation to it, is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1628 of 13/08/22.
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