More trains cancelled as drivers' row escalates

Rail commuters faced disruption today as 12 services were cancelled in an apparent escalation of industrial action.

Iarnród Éireann said an extra 10 routes – on top of two already withdrawn - have been cancelled.

These include afternoon and early evening services between central Dublin and Drogheda, Sligo, Maynooth, Balbriggan and Clonsilla.

The early-morning Portlaoise to Heuston Station (0630) and afternoon Heuston Station to Carlow (1735) services have been withdrawn since February 11.

Iarnród Éireann issued a statement on its website this morning blaming the escalated disruption on driver issues.

Company bosses are involved in a row with some train drivers refusing to operate expanded and increased services as part of a new timetable.

Drivers say they have not been trained to operate new services while Iarnrod Eireann insists the workers are in breach of agreements to continue services as issues are being resolved.

Both sides have already held unsuccessful talks at the Labour Relations Commission.

Iarnród Éireann apologised on its website to all customers affected by the cancellations.

The full list of cancellations are: Connolly-Clonsilla (1338), Clonsilla-Docklands (1410), Connolly-Maynooth (1540), Maynooth-Connolly (1705), Connolly-Maynooth (1808), Maynooth-Connolly (1858), Pearse-Balbriggan (1445), Balbriggan-Connolly (1616), Drogheda-Connolly (1740) and Pearse-Drogheda (1815).

A bus transfer has been laid on for affected travellers using the cancelled afternoon Dublin to Sligo (1600) and Sligo to Dublin (1700) services.