Council calls for rail safety review after Mayo boy's tragic death

Members of Mayo County Council have called on the Minister for Transport to carry out an immediate review of safety crossings along railway lines following the recent tragic death of a Ballyhaunis boy.

Cllr Alma Gallagher raised the matter at the September meeting of the council, stating that the people of Ballyhaunis had been left heartbroken following the death of 12-year-old Eoin Doyle, who suffered fatal injuries when the car in which he was a passenger was struck by a train at a user-operated level crossing at Kiltybo, Ballyhaunis, on September 3 last. His father Declan was injured in the same incident.

 “I have the family’s blessing today to ask why in this day and age does road safety rely on road-users physically opening and closing the gates themselves. Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien described the death as a terrible tragedy but said it is too early to review the system. I ask how this can be when it has existed for generations.” 

Cllr Gallagher said it could not be justified for a public road to cross a live railway line.

"I am calling on the minister for a full national survey on railway crossings and where fatalities have occurred, such as at Kiltybo, that these be treated as priority, ultimately to be replaced with warning lights and modern alert systems, to make them safe and ensure no other family have to endure what the Doyle family must endure now."

The call was supported by other councillors, who remembered similar tragic deaths in previous years. Cllr Patsy O’Brien said he had worked on the particular railway line in question for 44 years.

“Kiltybo is one of the worst crossings in the system from Claremorris to Knockcroghery and we have been complaining for years about it as workers. A few things we could recommend in the short term would be for a red light/amber light system, with the amber lights at least 200 metres flashing in advance to ensure motorists have enough time to stop.” 

Cllr Damien Ryan also called for safety works and a review, adding that speeds and frequency of trains have increased and railways need to modernise to reflect that.

Cllr Richard Finn said there had been a similar accident in the past at Garryredmond, Claremorris, but despite representations being made, nothing was done and it had "fallen on deaf ears".

Cllr Neil Cruise supported a safety review but said it did not go far enough, noting that Irish Rail should also be told to put an automatic barrier in place at the location.

“As it is at the moment, you basically get eight seconds to cross. It is shocking what has gone on.” 

Cathaoirleach John Caulfield extended sympathy to the Doyle and Corcoran families on behalf of all council members.

“Something certainly needs to be done, and action taken, so that we ensure no other life is taken.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.