IRISH RAIL HAS ISSUED an apology to commuters affected by a long delay this morning.
The 9.10am train from Maynooth to Pearse was stopped for close to an hour at Ashtown station as inspectors dealt with a serial fare evader who would not give over his name and address.
Passengers were asked to leave the train after the individual in question refused to cooperate with revenue protection officers.
They were picked up at Ashtown by an intercity train from Sligo.
A spokesperson for Irish Rail told TheJournal.ie that the fare evader is currently being pursued for a number of previous fixed penalty fines and two instances of violent behaviour towards staff.
Irish Rail said that passengers had been asked to get off the train so that the fare evader could be diverted to another station for arrest.
Gardaí were called to deal with him, but were ultimately unable to attend at Ashtown where the train was stopped. The Gardaí arranged to meet the train at Docklands Station to apprehend the individual.
Meanwhile, passengers affected by the delay have taken to Twitter to vent their frustration.
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