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The Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Irish Rail is clamping down on listening to music out loud (you could get a €100 fine)
IRISH RAIL HAS released new etiquette guidelines for people using their trains to try to make journeys 'as enjoyable as possible' for everyone on-board. It is cracking down on several issues, including listening to music or watching videos out loud, vaping on the train and putting feet or bags on empty seats. Speaking to The Journal , Irish Rail Communications Manager Barry Kenny said train inspectors 'have and will' issue penalties of €100 if passengers fail to follow these guidelines. The fines for these issues have already existed under the CIE Bye-Laws, but Irish Rail is highlighting them again in a new campaign as customers lodge complaints about 'nuisance behaviour' impacting their journeys. Kenny said: 'It's very much based on what our customers want. When you're travelling with us, you want to have an enjoyable journey.' The company has sent out a newsletter on the guidelines and will also post notices in train stations to advise passengers on what not to do while using the train. Advertisement Irish Rail etiquette guidelines: Keep seats clear – don't put feet or bags on empty seats, use earphones and keep the volume low, be aware when leaving the train or station; watch out for other passengers, vehicles and your surroundings, especially at busy times, dispose of litter properly, no smoking or vaping on trains or enclosed station areas, e-scooters, including foldable models, are not permitted on trains. 'It's about awareness and making sure everyone's journey is as enjoyable as possible,' Kenny said. He said some of the issues, such as vapes and e-scooters, weren't as common in the past, so people don't always know the rules around them. One issue he said has been particularly divisive is whether it is socially acceptable to listen to music and watch videos without earphones on public transport. 'Social norms appear to be clashing on the issue of audio playing out loud,' he added. 'It's not going to put your safety at risk, but it disturbs in what every other aspect might be a very enjoyable journey.' The Irish Rail service from Dublin to Cork now has specific quiet carriages, which people can book for their journeys. Kenny said passengers have respected these carriages rules, and Irish Rail are considering extending the service to it's Dublin to Belfast route too. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Post
06-08-2025
- Irish Post
Irish Rail sees nearly 600 trespass incidents in first half of the year
IRISH RAIL has reported more than 567 cases of trespassing across its network in the first six months of 2025, with the majority of these incidents taking place in and around Dublin. The data highlights recurring problems at central Dublin stations such as Connolly, Pearse, and Lansdowne Road, as well as at busy commuter locations like Maynooth, Bray and Clondalkin/Fonthill. The response to these incidents has varied. While most adults involved were issued fixed penalty notices, others faced court proceedings. One case in Maynooth led to a conviction and additional legal costs. Some cases, particularly those involving young people, remain unresolved. In several incidents, authorities were unable to verify identities or deliver summonses, especially at stations like Malahide, Sandymount, and Salthill. Despite the concerning numbers, the trend is showing gradual improvement. There were 985 reported incidents in 2024, compared to 1,102 in 2023, reflecting a slow but welcome decline. Trespassing on railways is not only a criminal offence under the Railway Safety Act 2005, it also poses serious risks to life. Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) continues to stress the dangers of entering railway property without authorisation, particularly near live tracks and active infrastructure. Current legislation allows for fines of up to €1,000 for those caught trespassing, though this limit may be raised under future revisions to the Fines Act. In cases involving individuals under the age of 16, authorities have opted to contact guardians rather than pursue formal sanctions. While the overall trend appears to be improving, Irish Rail has acknowledged that trespass-related safety risks remain a concern. These risks are amplified by increasing passenger demand and the ongoing Dart+ expansion project. Community safety also remains a priority. In late 2024, residents near North Strand reported youths throwing objects from a rail bridge, prompting renewed calls for stronger perimeter security. Iarnród Éireann responded by confirming the presence of a 24-hour monitoring system and regular inspections of boundary fencing. The company has also confirmed close coordination with An Garda Síochána, including increased patrols and swift responses to any trespassing reports. Train drivers are instructed to report any sightings.
The Journal
26-06-2025
- The Journal
A new train station is being planned for Cabra
IRISH RAIL HAS announced plans for the construction of a new train station in the north Dublin suburb of Cabra. The station, located along the Phoenix Park Tunnel line and planned DART+ South West route, will serve an extra 26,000 people living within one kilometre. It will offer frequent services into the city centre, as well as to the south and west of the country including Cork, Limerick and Galway. These counties will be reachable via the new Heuston West station to be built under the expanded DART+ South West project . The station at Cabra will improve connectivity to commuter stations located between ParkWest and Newbridge – Clondalkin, Adamstown, Hazelhatch. Advertisement A map showing the location of the proposed Cabra train station, marked red. Irish Rail Irish Rail It will present several new links to other modes of transport. There will be four bus stops within 100m of the station entrance, and the station will be served by the proposed Dublin BusConnects routes passing along the R147 Cabra Road, as well as local cycle routes running along the R805 Old Cabra Road. It will be a roughly 13-minute walk to the Luas Green line (Phibsborough stop) and a 23-minute walk to the TUD campus at Grangegorman. Irish Rail says local demand for increased capacity and frequency of service is what drove the decision by the operator to introduce another station. Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, said: 'The addition of the new rail station will be transformational for the local community, offering a significant boost in sustainable public transport.' Irish Rail chief Jim Meade says the planned station 'demonstrated the power of public consultation'. 'The railway line has always been part of Cabra, but yet the community has not been rail connected. This is about to change and change for the better,' he said. Irish Rail plans to initiate work on a planning application in early 2026. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
CART Bai: Ireland's second city is getting its own electrified rail line
IRISH RAIL HAS announced plans to build eight new stations and electrify the commuter line in Co Cork to build the county's equivalent to the capital's DART network. Eight new stations will be added at Blarney/Stoneview, Monard, Blackpool/Kilbarry, Tivoli, Dunkettle, Ballynoe, Carrigtwohill West and Water-Rock. The introduction of an electric fleet hopes to reduce current congestion levels and cut carbon emissions from the line. A new depot at Ballyrichard More will be required for these new carriages. 'CART' services or, as Irish Rail calls it, the 'Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme' will operate every ten miinutes across three commuter lines to Mallow, Midleton and Cobh. Advertisement Those three stops are now set to get a facelift to cater for future increases capacity. All stations will also receive upgrades to their accessibility obligations, to make sure passengers gain unassisted access to services. Two of the new stations, Blarney/Stoneview and Dunkettle, have also been identified as stops best-suitable for park and ride services. It is hope that the upgrades will lead to better connections between rail, bus, cycleways and Cork's future Luas line . Members of the public are asked to come forward during one of its seven upcoming consultation events placed around the Rebel county and online . Transport minister Darragh O'Brien has asked the public in Cork to come forward and read Irish Rail's proposals. Junior transport ministers Seán Canney and Jerry Buttimer have welcomed the second phase of Iarnród Éireann's Cork upgrades. Irish Rail boss Jim Meade and the National Transport Authority's investment manager Marcello Corsi have both encouraged the public to engage with the consultation events. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
05-06-2025
- The Journal
Irish Rail releases footage of level crossing crashes and near-misses as part of safety appeal
IRISH RAIL HAS appealed for renewed vigilance from the public at level crossings, with thirty incidents of misuse of the crossings being recorded so far this year. This is an increase on the 28 incidents recorded at the same time last year. Eleven of these incidents resulted in damage to the crossing or injury to the person using the crossing, with the majority involving road vehicles colliding with crossing gates or barriers. The level crossing on Serpentine Avenue in Dublin was the most frequent location involved in incidents, with five. This was followed by Sutton, with three incidents, and Bray, Claremont, Coolmine and Sandymount, with two incidents taking place at each level crossing. Irish Rail has released footage of some of the incidents as part of its safety appeal to mark International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD). The company has partnered with An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority to host information mornings at ten level crossings to mark ILCAD and educate road users about the dangers of not acting safely at level crossings. For DART users, these information mornings will take place at Sutton, Cosh, Bray, Merrion Gates and Serpentine Avenue. Advertisement For the national network, they will be held at Lisnagry, Co Limerick; Farranfore, Co Kerry; Athenry, Co Galway; Sullivan's Crossing, Co Galway and Oranmore, Co Galway. New safety cameras The company also announced that Gardaí are planning to introduce up to six Garda/Go Safe safety cameras to operate at railway level crossings to 'enhance safety for rail and road users'. The cameras will record motorists using the crossing and will automatically issue a fine of €160 for speeding, or €80 for breaking a red light, and are liable for three penalty points for either. 'Driver behaviour is becoming more and more problematic at level crossings and I believe these measures will result in improved safety for all, protecting rail and road users alike,' Irish Rail CEO Jim Meade said. The cameras will initially operate in a test phase and become fully activated once the test is completed. Irish Rail said they will be deployed dependent on driver behaviour. 'Where these safety cameras have been deployed across the roads network, driver compliance of up to 98.6% is achieved,' it said. There are currently 861 level crossings on the Irish Rail network. These are a combination of automated CCTV crossings, manned crossings and unmanned user operated accommodation crossings. Irish Rail said it is working to eliminate as many level crossings as practicable, having closed 134 crossings since 2014. Almost 300 people die at level crossings across Europe every year. Level crossing accidents account for 1% of road deaths in Europe, but 31% of all rail fatalities. Irish Rail said there have been no level crossing fatalities in Ireland since 2010. However, it said vigilance is 'essential'. It reminded users of the onus to use crossings responsibly: At automatic crossings: stop safely when the warning lights begin to flash. Never go through crossings when barriers are about to lower or lowering. At staff operated crossings: respect gatekeepers, whose role is to ensure your safety and that of rail users. Stop immediately when the gatekeeper requests it. At user operated crossings: Always stop before crossing to check the line, check the line again after crossing, and always close the gate after use for your safety and that of others. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
