Commuters faced significant travel disruption this morning after vandalism to overhead lines forced the suspension of DART services between Dalkey and Bray.
Irish Rail announced that all southbound trains would terminate at Dalkey station and then return northbound, creating a major gap in service along the popular coastal route. The transport operator confirmed the service disruption in an update issued at 10:51am.
The incident has not only affected the immediate Dalkey-Bray section but is causing knock-on delays throughout the DART network due to resulting congestion. According to Irish Rail, the vandalism damaged both the overhead power lines and the pantograph equipment on trains – the critical component that connects vehicles to the power supply above.
Passengers planning to travel between these stations are advised to seek alternative transportation options while repair crews work to restore service. Irish Rail has not yet provided an estimated timeframe for when normal operations might resume.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of rail infrastructure to malicious damage and the widespread consequences such acts can have on public transportation systems and the thousands of passengers who rely on them daily.
Updates on service restoration will be available through Irish Rail’s website and social media channels. Commuters are encouraged to check for the latest information before beginning their journeys.