Pre-Christmas rail disruption threatened despite 80 new cars

RAIL passengers across the country may face disruption in the run-up to Christmas in the latest row by train drivers over union recognition.

The risk of rail chaos from mid-December overshadowed yesterday's announcement by Transport Minister Seamus Brennan of a major expansion of commuter and inter-city services from mid-December.

Mr Brennan said the delivery of 80 new commuter railcars would offer commuters more capacity, improve off-peak services and give additional services on a number of inter-city routes.