Severe delays expected as Iarnród Éireann train derails

Iarnród Éireann has warned of major delays following a train derailment near Portarlington, Co Laois, this morning.

A spokesman for the company told The Irish Times that the 11am Intercity train carrying 310 passengers from Dublin to Cork struck a landslide about a quarter mile outside of Portarlington station.

There were no injuries in the incident and passengers are now walking back to Portarlington station.

The Iarnród Éireann spokesman said the line was now closed and has warned of major disruption to all services between Heuston, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kerry and Westport until further notice.

Thousands of hurling fans are expected to travel with Iarnród Éireann to the All Ireland Senior Hurling Semi Final in Croke Park tomorrow but the Iarnród Éireann spokesman said it was too early to determine if those services would be operational.

Repair crews are on their way to the scene.