Commuters left stranded across the country

The North West: The closure of Sligo train station yesterday meant that up to 400 passengers who normally take the early-morning…

The North West: The closure of Sligo train station yesterday meant that up to 400 passengers who normally take the early-morning train to Dublin had to rely on buses.

Just three signallers work at the station, but because of the dispute all services had to be cancelled. A spokesman for Iarnrod Eireann said few people had turned up yesterday morning as the public seemed to be aware of the strike.

An average of between 300 and 450 passengers use the early-morning train between Sligo and Mullingar and most return in the evening. The spokesman said the service was "very much in demand" at this time of the year in particular because of poor driving conditions.

The Midlands: The Iarnrod Eireann signallers dispute had a severe impact on the Midlands yesterday when all services to the region were halted, leaving thousands of passengers without service.

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The Gardai reported very heavy traffic on the main Dublin/Cork and Dublin/Galway roads from early yesterday as rail commuters sought an alternative way to the capital. Bus Eireann services in Athlone were stretched to the limit. An Iarnrod Eireann spokesman in Athlone said 16 trains servicing Galway/Dublin and Westport/Dublin and intervening stations, had left upwards of 3,000 passengers without service.

There was similar disruption in Portlaoise which has built up a strong rail commuter base on the lines between Dublin and the south and south-west.

The West: State and private bus companies in the west did a brisk business yesterday as taxi-drivers in Galway withdrew services for 24 hours and rail links were suspended by the industrial action.

It was a contrast to last week's situation in Galway, when bus drivers were directed not to pass the rail-workers' pickets, and Galway city and county was left bereft of public transport.

However, the sight of third-level students protesting over grants in Eyre Square yesterday afternoon caused one tourist to ask: "Is your government working today?"

Mr Myles McHugh, regional manager with Iarnrod Eireann, said that most commuters were aware of the 48-hour train stoppage and had made alternative arrangements where possible.

The Midwest: Colbert Station in Limerick resumed the deserted air it has had on so many days this year as the industrial action by signallers shut down all services. Eireann ticket counter.

Outside, three signalmen protested at the entrance to the bus station, which adjoins the train station. Bus drivers followed a long tradition of not passing the protesters even though it was not a picket action. Bus services continued on the public road outside.

Mr Jim Gallivan, Iarnrod Eireann's business development manager at Colbert Station, said 10 scheduled services to Dublin and nine to Cork were hit, along with services to Ennis, Bally brophy and Rosslare.

The South East: About 7,500 passengers were discommoded in the south-east as a result of the rail strike.

Waterford railway station was "a lonely spot", said Mr Frank Hogan, Iarnrod Eireann's business development manager for the region. Intending passengers were aware of the strike in advance and nobody turned up.

Many, it seems, opted for private transport or just cancelled their journeys altogether. Mr Pat Crowley, Bus Eireann's southeast area manager, said there had been a small increase in business but no extra buses had been laid on.

An interim order compelling Iarnrod Eireann to keep open a railway bridge over the River Barrow, which is being affected by signal workers' industrial action, was granted by the High Court yesterday.

Ms Deirdre Murphy SC, for the New Ross Port Company, said the bridge was required to be kept open to ensure the passage of ships to and from New Ross port. Three ships were waiting to get through.

Industrial action by signal workers employed by Iarnrod Eireann would mean the bridge would not be opened, counsel said.