Delays and heavy traffic expected for the weekend

In what may be one of the busiest weekends of the year at Dublin Airport, up to 214,000 people are expected to pass through between this morning and Sunday night. Most will depart on over 325 charter flights, primarily to sun resorts.

A total of 1,600 flights will use the airport over the weekend. People travelling abroad are advised by Aer Rianta to use the long-term "Blue" car-park, which can be accessed using Exit 4 off the M50, at the Ballymun interchange.

Shuttle buses will take passengers directly to the passenger terminal. Aer Rianta also advises passengers to allow themselves enough time to reach the airport. Further information about parking and reaching Dublin airport can be obtained by dialing 1800 20 40 10.

Meanwhile, disruption to mainline rail services will continue through the weekend due to unofficial industrial action by SIPTU and NBRU train drivers. Today passengers for the 7 a.m. Tralee/Heuston service will be taken by bus from Tralee to Killarney and from there by train. The 5.30 p.m. Heuston/Tralee service will end in Killarney, with ongoing passengers taken by bus to Tralee.

The 11.25 a.m. Heuston/Mallow and 2.10 p.m. Mallow/ Heuston services have been cancelled, as have the 2.45 p.m. Connolly/Dundalk and 4.10 p.m. Dundalk/Connolly services.

Tomorrow, the 1.48 p.m. Tralee/Heuston, the 4 p.m. Mallow/Tralee and 6.35 p.m. Heuston/Tralee services will also involve bus journeys. The 10 p.m., 10.30 p.m., 11 p.m., and 11.30 p.m. train services from Cork to Cobh will be replaced by bus.

On Sunday, the 12.45 p.m. Cork/Tralee service will be replaced by bus, with bus journeys also making up part of the 5.25 p.m. Tralee/Heuston service. The 6.14 p.m. Tralee/Cork service will be by bus as will the 8.55 p.m. Cork/Mallow service. The 7.05 p.m. Heuston/Tralee service will go to Killarney, where a bus will take passengers to Tralee. It is likely that some Limerick/Limerick Junction services will be replaced by bus.

On the roads, the Garda expects heavier traffic this weekend because of the good weather forecast. A spokesman said 19 people had died on our roads since last Thursday, and advised drivers to "avoid unnecessary overtaking".

He urged that seat belts be used, with small children placed in proper child seats.