"Significant delays" expected on Galway to Dublin train line

Irish Rail has said there are "significant delays" to its services in Westmeath and Offaly this afternoon and evening (Friday) after a freight train broke down between Athlone and Clara earlier today.

The transport company reported, shortly after 2pm, that the freight train was stopped on the eastern side of Athlone "due to a mechanical issue".

This resulted in the 12.45pm Heuston to Westport service being held in Clara, and the 1.05pm Galway to Heuston service being held in Athlone.

In an update issued at 3.40pm, Irish Rail said "Significant delays and disruption are expected on the Galway/Westport routes," over the coming hours on foot of the incident.

"A freight train with a mechanical issue is being moved to allow trains to pass between Athlone and Clara," it said. "Knock-on delays throughout the evening are expected."

A further update, issued just after 5.30pm, stated that the disruption was ongoing and that certain services had been delayed by up to two and a half hours.

"Delays of approximately 150 minutes on some services. Trains are delayed at crossings," said Irish Rail in a post on X/Twitter.

It added that the issues had caused the cancellation of the 4.20pm Westport to Athlone service.