Gardaí are investigating an alleged racist incident on a Limerick train last Sunday evening.

Videos posted on Twitter appear to show a woman shouting racist abuse at a group of Indian men.

The user who filmed the incident messaged the Irish Rail account while on board to say the woman had been making racist comments for ten minutes – apparently for placing bags on seats.

During the expletive-ridden tirade, the woman appears to tell the men to "f**k off back to India" before adding "Respect my f**king country and get your bag off the seat."

An Irish man can be seen standing up for the victims - and the woman then becomes abusive towards him as well.

Barry Kenny, corporate communications manager with Irish Rail, says the incident was very shocking:

"To see any customer suffering abuse is unacceptable but when it is so discriminatory and clearly racist it is shocking."

He said the video material has been brought to the attention of the gardaí in Limerick.

"Obviously we are grateful that another customer was able to share it so that we can pursue it with the gardaí because we want to ensure that trains are safe for people to travel without suffering abuse of any kind," he said.

"We will continue to work to protect both our customers and indeed our employees to ensure that there is awareness of this and that we tackle those people that basically spread hate and racism on our services."

The Immigrant Council of Ireland has again called for the introduction of updated hate crime legislation following the incident.

Integration officer Teresa Buczkowska said the council has worked with victims of racist abuse whose mental well-being was so damaged they had been left contemplating suicide.

She urged members of the public to report any incidents to the gardaí - and show solidarity with the victims where possible.

Gardaí and Irish Rail are appealing for anyone with information to contact Henry St Garda Station in Limerick City.