Thousands affected by freight train derailment

Calls were made tonight for an emergency contingency plan after thousands of commuters were left stranded when a fright train derailed in north Co Dublin.

Investigations are continuing in to how six 75-tonne wagons carrying laden mineral ore left the tracks just south of Skerries.

Crews are still working to clear the line, with a crane due to lift the stricken wagons back on to the track overnight.

The line – which has reopened with a limited service for the evening rush hour - will close over the weekend to repair damage to the track and sleepers.

Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann will accept rail tickets on their services to North Co Dublin and Co Louth tomorrow and Sunday.

Up to 7,000 passengers on suburban routes along the Dublin to Belfast line were affected by the derailment.

All peak hour services were cancelled with motorists on the M1 also left facing long delays as commuters were forced to take their cars into the capital.

A limited rail service resumed at 2pm when one of the lines was cleared.

Irish Rail said a close to full northbound service from the capital to Drogheda and Dundalk would operate at evening peak, while southbound services will be limited.

“Following last services tonight, the Northern line will be closed and remain closed through the weekend to allow track repairs,” said a spokesman.

“The Dublin Belfast services will operate by bus transfers between Dublin, Connolly and Drogheda and by rail from Drogheda to Belfast. A delay of 30 to 40 minutes delay may occur on these services.

“It is hoped that full normal services will be in operation by Monday morning.

“Our initial investigation would lead us to focus on one of the wagons but we will investigate all factors.

“This is certainly an extremely unusual and serious incident and it will be investigated in that light.”

Irish Rail apologised to customers and rejected claims it could have done more to assist stricken commuters by putting on bus services.

Labour’s transport spokesperson Tommy Broughan said the rail chaos highlighted the total lack of contingency planning in Irish Rail.

“Thousand of people were left stranded and it seems that Irish Rail were content to throw their hands up in the air without making any effort whatsoever to accommodate passengers,” he said.

“Passengers were simply directed to the nearest bus stop, many without any indication as to whether they would even be entitled to a refund of their bus fare from Irish Rail.

“Irish Rail had eight hours to act, but did nothing.

“The very least they could have done was to endure that Irish Rail tickets would be honoured on Bus Eireann services. Not even this minimal step was taken.”

Meanwhile, Fine Gael’s Fergus O’Dowd said the findings of investigations by Irish Rail and the Railway Safety Commission must be published without delay.

“When this type of incident happens, it is imperative that Irish Rail drafts in alternative methods of transport when they are available,” he said.

“I welcome the resumption of services on the route, but there must be assurances that, when the cause is found, similar events do not occur in the future.”

Bus Eireann said it tried to facilitate disgruntled rail passengers, however all its available fleet were already fully deployed and operating to near maximum capacity.