Some Kerry and Armagh supporters were delayed getting to Croke Park yesterday because of security alerts and an engine breakdown on the railways.
As many as 200 Kerry supporters on the 8.30 a.m. Sligo to Dublin train arrived at Drumcondra station at 1.35 p.m. yesterday, two hours behind schedule.
This was due to an engine breakdown between Edgeworthstown and Mullingar. The ensuing delay was to allow for another engine be sent to replace the one broken down. This service does not normally stop at Drumcondra but did so yesterday to accommodate the discommoded supporters.
The travel plans of up to 1,000 Armagh supporters were disrupted because of suspicious objects on the line at Portadown at 11.30 a.m. yesterday. Passengers on the two later special trains laid on for the day were taken by bus to Newry.
They arrived in Dublin at 1.45 p.m. and 2.15 p.m., 55 minutes and one hour 20 minutes behind schedule respectively. Two earlier special trains were delayed for a half hour to allow a car be removed from the line between Portadown and Newry. Altogether four special Belfast to Dublin trains were laid on for the day.
Meanwhile, the 6.50 a.m. Killarney to Dublin train, carrying Kerry supporters, was a half hour late in arriving at Heuston due to a delay at Thurles.
The Fine Gael spokesman on Transport Mr Denis Naughten has called on the Government "to rescind any consideration of a cutback in the level of rail services throughout the country".
In a statement yesterday, "following the disclosure that Irish Rail is running a €25 million deficit in the current year" he also described as "totally unacceptable" suggestions that lines between Arklow and Rosslare, Limerick Junction and Waterford, Waterford and Rosslare be closed.
