Rail strikes begin today

Rail commuters in Tipperary have been left without services today.

A nationwide strike by Irish Rail staff means all train services have been cancelled in the first of five planned days of action.

Pickets have been placed on all train stations in County Tipperary as a result of the dispute.

Workers are looking for an extra 3.75%, each year, for the next three years but Irish Rail claims the company is facing insolvency.

Some Irish Rail staff claim they have been forced to take on a second job to make ends meet.

This train driver on the picket line in Thurles says the job carries a lot of responsibility and deserves better pay.

Rail unions say they won’t rule out an escalation of their strike around Christmas.

These workers on the picket line in Tipperary say it is the last place they want to be – but they feel they deserve better pay.