Dublin to Belfast train delayed amid Belfast unrest and wider Translink travel disruptions

The 7.40am Dublin Connolly to Belfast Grand Central train was delayed at Newry on Thursday morning because of disruptive passengers, as travel disruption continued across Northern Ireland after a second night of unrest.

Translink had already suspended all bus services from 5pm and all rail services from 6pm on Wednesday, saying the move was a last resort taken for safety reasons.

A Translink spokesperson said the company’s priority was the safety of customers, staff and the wider public, and warned that services could still be altered or cancelled.

Wednesday night shutdown

The suspensions came as disorder escalated in Belfast on Wednesday night. Reporting from the city said transport services were scaled back as police responded to unrest, including the use of water cannon.

Police said 16 people were arrested and 12 officers were injured during the unrest.

The violence followed a stabbing in Belfast that sparked anti-immigration protests and wider public disorder.

Impact on rail passengers

The delay to the Dublin-Belfast service showed the disruption spreading beyond Belfast itself and onto one of the busiest cross-border rail routes.

Translink’s warnings mean passengers travelling across Northern Ireland and on cross-border services should expect possible timetable changes, cancellations or short-notice disruption.

The situation remained fluid on Thursday morning, with further advice from transport operators or police still possible later in the day.