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Bus driver shocked by praise after kindness to homeless man

Good Samaritan bus driver Paul Doyle back on duty after his act of kindness to a homeless man in Belfast
Good Samaritan bus driver Paul Doyle back on duty after his act of kindness to a homeless man in Belfast Good Samaritan bus driver Paul Doyle back on duty after his act of kindness to a homeless man in Belfast

THIS is the Belfast bus driver who has captured the hearts of thousands with his Good Samaritan gesture to a homeless man.

During an unscheduled stop to his 10H Belfast service, Paul Doyle gave a winter coat to a man he had watched standing in the pouring rain.

The Metro driver also put £5, milk and bread in the bag with the coat for the homeless man.

It came after he had seen the man in the rain as he drove between Blacks Road and the city centre.

Unbeknown to Mr Doyle, a passenger on his bus spotted his act of kindness and shared it on social media, resulting in widespread praise.

Student Anna Marie McDaniel wrote to Translink on Facebook to praise the "thoughtful" bus driver, with the post liked by around 67,000 people and shared more than 3,900 times.

But it was all in a day's work for Mr Doyle, a bus driver for more than two decades, who was back behind the wheel yesterday.

He is believed to be shocked by the reaction his gesture has generated.

Michael Dornan of Unite union said: ""Paul is very humble. He's sort of embarrassed.

"He never intended anything like that. He didn't want any thanks. That's the type of person he is."

A Translink spokeswoman last night said: "We commend our colleague on this act of kindness for someone in need".

Stormont's Regional Development Committee yesterday also said it would write to Translink to congratulate Mr Doyle on his act of kindness.

Extern, the social justice Charity, welcomed the gesture.

Chief Executive Charlie Mack, said: "Homelessness is a huge issue here in Belfast, indeed across Ireland.  We are dealing with a rise in homelessness, which is particularly high in young males, and as service providers we are overwhelmed by the number of people asking for support.  

"The plight of homelessness is again in the spotlight as a result of the brilliant act of kindness from a Translink employee, which I absolutely commend."