Dart row sparks delay on train testing

IARNRÓD ÉIREANN last night put off planned testing of new eight-carriage Dart trains in a bid to resolve a bitter pay dispute with drivers.

Crisis talks were called in the hope of an eleventh hour breakthrough after employees threatened to boycott the updated service. Drivers were seeking wage increases of almost 10% on their €48,000 a year for running the new system.

Following an emergency meeting lasting several hours, management at Iarnród Eireann agreed to postpone testing to allow union bosses to consult drivers.