Derailment causes traffic chaos

Thousands of commuters faced chaos this morning after the derailment of a freight train in north Co Dublin.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the incident, which involved a laden mineral ore freight train running from Tara Mines to North Wall.

Irish Rail warned passengers that Northern line services were being severely disrupted, with all peak hour trains between Dundalk, Drogheda and Dublin cancelled.

Services between Belfast and the capital were also affected.

All Dart from Howth and Malahide were running as normal and bus transfers were replacing the cancelled services.

Six wagons on the train derailed shortly before 11pm last night south of Skerries.

“Iarnrod Eireann crews are working to clear the line as soon as possible in order to have one track open, to provide a limited service later today,” said a spokesman.

As the derailment caused damage to track and sleepers, it was not expected that full services would resume until later in the weekend at the earliest.

“Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvenience caused,” said the spokesman.