CIÉ defers move to shut down freight services

CIÉ has deferred a decision to close down loss-making freight services and railway lines following a last-minute intervention by the Government.

The CIÉ board is to wait until a wide-ranging review of rail services is published early in the new year before making a decision, following a request from Transport Minister Séamus Brennan.

It is understood that the board was poised yesterday to rubber-stamp cutbacks which would have affected up to 600 workers. The plans included moves to shut down unprofitable freight traffic and railway lines linking Rosslare to Limerick Junction and Ballybrophy to Limerick Junction, via Nenagh.