TRAIN SERVICES to Dublin will be interrupted for the next two weeks after a train was derailed by a landslide on the outskirts of Wicklow town.

Heavy overnight rainfall was responsible for Monday's landslide which occurred at 6 a.m. when an out-of-service train heading to Arklow was derailed after it hit debris consisting of shrubs, earth and some trees. The incident happened just a few yards south of Wicklow Train Station and the driver of the train escaped without injury.

Irish Rail spokesperson Barry Kenny said the landslide had been a 'significant one' causing the front carriage of the train to derail. '

Commuters and regular users of the Rosslare to Dublin line now face two weeks of disruption. Bus services will be in operation between Wicklow and Gorey or Enniscorthy as a result. Irish Rail estimate the line will remained closed until November 30 by which time the embankment should be strengthened and the debris spread across the tracks cleared.

This latest incident arrives at an embarrassing time for Irish Rail as Monday's landslide also coincided with the reopening of the service along the Malahide viaduct after its collapse three months ago.