Brisbane bus attack: Kill accused ‘an erratic loner’

THE life of a former Brisbane accountant accused of setting a bus driver alight in a horrific attack has been revealed by neighbours and friends.

Anthony O'Donohue ceased contact with his neighbours, who considered him a friend, a year ago.

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THE Brisbane man accused of setting bus driver Manmeet Sharma alight was a troubled loner whose behaviour had become increasingly “erratic”.

Alleged murderer Anthony Mark Edward O’Donohue yesterday appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody on 13 charges.

His lawyer said O’Donohue, 48, was “numb” and had given no explanation for the “heinous” and senseless attack at a Moorooka bus stop on Friday.

Neighbour and friend Andrea Urch told The Sunday Mail that O’Donohue abruptly ceased contact with her and others in his community housing building a year ago and she saw his behaviour change in recent months.

Flowers left at the Moorooka bus stop where driver Manmeet Sharma died. Pic: Steve Pohlner

“I only just mentioned to my neighbour (recently) about how erratic Anthony has been lately, and the rants he has been on,” Ms Urch said.

“He never had any friends or family come (to his home) and he would avoid questions ... but after a few drinks he would start to get opinionated and you could see he had certain issues.”

Ms Urch said the 48-year-old often referred to his former job at Queensland Rail where he was an accountant, but was secretive about other aspects of his life.

“Anthony was of the personality you knew not to probe or ask questions.”

Ms Urch said she classed O’Donohue “as a friend”.

“We were close neighbours. He has been (living) here four years,” she said of the building managed by Compass Housing Services Co which is about 150 metres down Beaudesert Road from where Mr Sharma died.

Manmeet Sharma was killed in Friday’s attack.

“We would sit on the steps outside (and chat),” she said.

Ms Urch said O’Donohue “withdrew” and stopped speaking to all of his neighbours in his Moorooka unit block.

“He was in denial or didn’t like to admit (he had a problem) because he was an educated man. He was opinionated. You could just tell that he had trouble accepting that he did have an issue. It was like a fall from grace, that was my opinion.”

Ms Urch said O’Donohue was also “well supported” by a mental health case manager until recently.

“I must say I’m shocked and horrified,” she said.

Another neighbour Hana Kassa said O’Donohue “was a nice person’'.

‘‘He was a peaceful person.’’

A prayer ceremony was held for bus attack victim Manmeet Sharma at the Brisbane Sikh Temple on Saturday. Pic: Tara Croser