Security alert sparks travel chaos for rugby fans

Around 1,200 rugby fans face travel chaos tomorrow after a cross-border rail service from Belfast to Dublin was cancelled due to a dissident republican security alert.

The passengers had all booked a place on three sold-out “rugby special” trains laid on for the Ireland v Scotland Six Nations championship match at Croke Park.

But operator Translink has pulled those Enterprise services after the line was closed at Newry, Co Down, today following reports of a suspect device on the line.

“It is unlikely that normal services will have resumed before tomorrow’s International Rugby Match in Dublin between Ireland and Scotland,” a company spokeswoman explained.

All tickets are being refunded and passengers are being advised to take one of the additional Translink bus services that are being put on to accommodate them.

The buses will leave from the Europa bus centre in Belfast throughout tomorrow.

Scheduled Enterprise train services will run as planned tomorrow, but with delays likely as a result of a bus substitution between Newry and Dundalk.

The Newry incident came as the Real IRA claimed responsibility for causing four alerts in Derry today, causing widespread disruption throughout the city.