Byrne urges Irish Rail not to close DART lines weekend of rugby semifinal

Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne has urged Irish Rail to reconsider plans to close some DART lines the weekend of the Rugby Champions Cup Semifinal. 

There will be no train service between Grand Canal Dock, Co Dublin, and Bray, Co Wicklow, next weekend due to planned line improvement works by Irish Rail. 

Mr Byrne said many rugby fans would have planned to use the train next Saturday to get to Croke Park for the sold-out Leinster v Northampton European Rugby Champions Cup Semifinal. 

“This is a weekend where there would be a huge demand from the public to use the train to travel to Dublin city,” he said. 

“They really should reconsider their decision. 

“Rather than clogging up the city with cars, they should be encouraging people to use park and ride facilities and public transport. 

“It would make a huge difference to people who want to use public transport into Dublin over the bank holiday weekend.” 

DART line closures

DART lines between Grand Canal Dock and Bray will be closed between May 4th to May 6th, as well as on May 18th and June 9th. 

Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty also criticised plans to close DART lines for engineering works in May and June due to disruptions for commuters and visitors. 

“The DART and other commuter rail links are vital for so many commuters and visitors in Dublin,