Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that rail services in north Dublin have returned to operation following significant disruption caused by damage to overhead electrical lines that power DART services.
The incident resulted in extensive damage to approximately 600 metres of overhead wiring between Raheny and Harmonstown stations, leading to widespread delays and service suspensions across parts of the DART and commuter rail network. According to the company, several pantographs – the roof-mounted arms that connect electric trains to overhead power lines – were also damaged during the incident.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Iarnród Éireann Head of Corporate Communications Barry Kenny said that while services have resumed, passengers may continue to experience some residual delays as trains are repositioned and timetables return to normal.
Mr Kenny reassured passengers that full DART and commuter services, along with additional trains, will be operating in time for the highly anticipated Katy Perry concert at Malahide Castle this evening. The railway operator has been working throughout the day to restore services and minimise disruption for both daily commuters and concert-goers.
The disruption forced the suspension of DART services between Malahide/Howth Junction and Clontarf Road, while Northern Commuter services between Howth Junction and Connolly were also affected. Passengers travelling on routes between Dundalk, Drogheda and Howth experienced delays and reduced service levels during the morning.
Explaining the nature of the fault, Mr Kenny said an out-of-service DART train was travelling through the affected section when damage occurred. The train’s pantograph, which draws electricity from the overhead lines, was among the equipment damaged. He noted that investigators will now focus on determining exactly how the incident happened.
“We will be investigating how this occurred,” Mr Kenny said, adding that there is currently no evidence to suggest the damage was deliberate.
Earlier in the day, Iarnród Éireann estimated that as many as 20,000 commuters could have been affected by the disruption during the busy morning travel period. The incident caused considerable inconvenience for passengers across the north Dublin rail network, with many forced to seek alternative transport arrangements.
Mr Kenny also revealed that repair efforts were complicated by the large crowds attending a Teddy Swims concert at Malahide Castle on Tuesday night. The presence of thousands of concert-goers in the area meant that engineers were unable to begin some of the necessary repair works as quickly as they would have liked.
With services now restored, attention will turn to the investigation into the cause of the damage and ensuring the reliability of the network moving forward.
