Iarnrod Eireann is reviewing its arrangements to lay on special trains to take hurling fans to the Munster Senior Hurling Championship semi-final between Tipperary and Clare in two weeks' time. The review is a result of damage caused to a train by feuding Tipperary fans on Sunday.
While Iarnrod Eireann says it still expects to provide trains to the match in Tipperary, an alcohol ban and a Garda presence on the trains are among the measures being considered to ensure public order.
The weekend's incident occurred on the journey to Carrick-on-Suir from Cork city. Hurling fans returning from the Tipperary/Waterford Munster Championship first round caused extensive damage to four carriages, throwing bottles and fire extinguishers and breaking windows.
As fighting broke out, passengers moved up the train to get away, locking themselves in lavatories and hiding under tables to avoid injury.
An eyewitness, Mr John Walsh, said that as the feuding supporters moved up the train bottles were flying and glass was breaking everywhere.
The train stopped a mile short of Cahir after the emergency cord was pulled. About 50 people left the train and walked the remaining distance to Cahir, where the gardai were called. Gardai boarded the train and escorted it to its final destination in Carrick-on-Suir. It is now in Dublin awaiting refurbishment.
Mr Frank Hogan, business and development manager for Iarnrod Eireann in the southeast, said the ban on alcohol which was imposed for certain matches last year, is being considered for the coming semi-final. He said staff were co-operating with gardai in the investigation into the incident.
Mr Hogan apologised to passengers for the disturbance and offered his thanks to the gardai for their assistance. He said the special match service had run for many years.