delays Anti-protocol loyalists 'behind security alert' on Dublin to Belfast train line

Loyalists opposed to the Northern Ireland Ireland protocol are believed to have been behind a bomb alert on the main Belfast to Dublin rail line yesterday.

Yesterday loyalists told the Irish News they were going to step up their violent campaign due to the protocol.

A Garda spokesperson said: “As a result of information from and in conjunction with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, An Garda Síochána carried out a number of precautionary security checks on trains travelling between Belfast and Dublin.

"All checks have now been completed with negative results."

The PSNI said they received information that a “device of some description” had been left on the line, and disruption was caused to the 1.20pm Dublin-Belfast.

The 2.05pm Belfast-Dublin and 3.20pm Dublin-Belfast services were also affected.

Cathal Boylan of Sinn Fein said the incident “caused huge disruption for workers and people travelling on the train.

“I would urge anyone with any information on this incident to bring it forward to the PSNI”

Last week Foreign Minister Simon Coveney was targeted as he spoke at a peace-building event in North Belfast.

A van was hijacked and a hoax bomb was placed on board before the driver was forced to bring the van to the event organised by the John and Pat Hume Foundation.

A 40-year-old man has been charged in connection with the North Belfast incident.