'Significant damage' to train overnight at Athlone station

Irish Rail has confirmed that three carriages of a train sustained 'significant damage' in an overnight incident at Athlone Station.

The carriages were spraypainted with graffiti by what an Irish Rail spokesperson said was a group.

"We have alerted Gardaí who are investigating and we have preserved CCTV."

Whilst the train was needed for an early morning service, it has since been taken out of service and will be cleared at considerable cost.

"Vandalism of this nature is costly and disruptive and we always pursue such cases with the Gardaí, and we have had a number of successful prosecutions. Along with other Gardaí we will be working to ensure these vandals face justice," the Irish Rail spokesperson said.