Dublin rail repairs may take six months

Northern Ireland Rail says it believes it could be six months before the rail line between Belfast and Dublin will be operational again.

Iarnród Éireann says it will take at least three months to fix the viaduct at Malahide after a section of the bridge collapsed into the sea last Friday.

However, Northern Ireland Rail (NIR) general manager Mal McGreevy said yesterday that he did not think the work would be completed before 2010 and could take at least six months.

NIR later said both estimations were speculative as it will take Iarnród Éireann several weeks to draw up a full reconstruction plan timeframe.

Meanwhile, bus transfers remain in place for commuters heading into Connolly Station on the line.