Rail services disrupted after man struck by train

THOUSANDS of rail passengers were delayed, many on trains forced to stop out of stations, after a man was hit on the rail track in Co Kildare yesterday afternoon.

The train was travelling from Cork to Heuston Station, Dublin when the man was struck, about a mile on the Dublin side of Newbridge, at 4.45pm.

The emergency services were called to the scene and the man, whose age is unknown, was taken to Naas General Hospital.

He was in a serious condition there last night, according to gardaí investigating the incident.

They do not suspect any foul play in the matter but are waiting to speak to the man to establish the circumstances.

Irish Rail reported last night that up to 3,000 passengers may have been affected, as all the company’s Intercity services to the south and west were disrupted.

As well as the train involved in the incident, other services to Dublin from Galway, Kerry and Cork were held up further back the line.

A number of services out of Heuston Station also had to be delayed by up to two hours, until the line was cleared at 6.30pm.

However, a spokesperson said no services were actually cancelled.

Mainline rail services have been exceptionally busy in recent days, as shoppers flocked to Dublin for Christmas shopping.