Half-hour hold up at Laois train station as Gardaí remove abusive passenger
Irish Rail apologise for the delay due to antisocial behaviour that required Gardaí intervention.
Gardaí were called to Portarlington train station following reports of antisocial behaviour on the 5:30pm Heuston to Galway service.
The train arrived into Portarlington station at 6:15pm, and was allegedly delayed for 32 minutes due to antisocial behaviour that required Gardaí intervention.
Gardaí attended the scene and removed a passenger from the service.
Gardaí spoke to us on the matter;
"Gardaí were made aware of a public order incident at the Portarlington Train Station, Co. Laois Tuesday, 1stJuly at approximately 6pm. No offenses have been disclosed."
A spokesperson for Irish Rail responded to Laois Live/ Leinster Express's request for comment;
"The Gardaí were called to Portarlington on Monday evening to meet the 17:30hrs Heuston to Galway train due to a passenger engaging in anti-social behaviour. The train arrived at Portarlington at 18:15 and Gardaí removed the customer at 18:47 and the train continued on its journey 32mins late.
Iarnród Éireann apologises to the customers onboard this service who were delayed as a result of this incident."
Last April, Irish Rail announced that the level of anti-social behaviour on Ireland’s trains surged by over 50% last year.
Figures show that there were nearly 1,000 incidents reported – including 110 assaults and 562 incidents of aggressive behaviour.
The list includes assaults, fights, muggings, theft, attacks on staff and lewd behaviour.