Delays As Border Security Alert Continues

A security alert on the Belfast to Dublin rail line is continuing to disrupt cross-border train services.

Bus transfers are in operation between Newry and Dundalk and the alert also led to long traffic tailbacks yesterday evening.

This morning, (Friday), train services between the capitals have again been badly hit as the bomb scare remains in place on the line, just north of the border, near the city of Newry.

The alert is believed to have been triggered by the discovery of a number of suspicious objects on the tracks yesterday afternoon.

The M1 motorway between the two towns was also temporarily closed yesterday, but has since reopened.

Just days ago there was a call for more action on cross-border security by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.

It said co-operation between the two countries on policing and justice matters had never been closer, but "needed to get even closer".

The MPs urged Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins to open discussions as soon as practicable with his Dublin counterpart on whether 'hot pursuit' and surveillance provisions should be put in place along the border.

See: : Border Security In Focus