Iarnrod Eireann is investigating allegations that a staff member on a Cork-Dublin train made racist remarks and used abusive language.
The 5.30 p.m. train from Cork to Dublin last Friday, made an unscheduled stop at Portlaoise, where three passengers who did not have proper tickets were requested to leave the train.
Following the stop, a company official who had asked the passengers to disembark returned and made an unprompted outburst, using what witnesses described as "abusive and racist language".
Later, during the journey, the same official alleged that the three passengers might have been involved in the disappearance of a mobile phone.
At Heuston Station, two passengers filed official complaints regarding the incident, and in particular, the alleged racist tones of the official's comments.
A spokesperson for Iarnrod Eireann said: "We are treating the incident very seriously, and we consider these remarks intolerable and unacceptable. There is a full investigation under way."
Iarnrod Eireann stressed that it was not unusual for a train to make unscheduled stops to request a passenger to disembark if they did not have the proper ticket or failed to pay the price difference.
The three passengers involved in the incident have not made contact with Iarnrod Eireann.
