Irish Rail ‘knew of danger’ before crash at crossing

Irish Rail had admitted a level crossing in Co Clare was dangerous and should be closed about 13 years before a local farmer had a “near-death” experience.

Members of the Carroll family have claimed that Irish Rail acknowledged in 1999 the level crossing at Laghile, Cratloe, should be closed and undertook to find an alternative crossing.

The family is calling on Irish Rail to meet the Rail Accident Investigations Unit, which has recognised there is a problem at this crossing, to devise a solution such as building a bridge or a tunnel to make it safe.

Irish Rail insists this rail crossing, like all level crossings on its network, is safe for use and notes it is the responsibility of the user to ensure it is safe to cross.

The Rail Accident Investigations Unit, which is carrying out a formal investigation into the collision, carried out a re-enactment of the incident recently.

Tomás Carroll, 48, had a lucky escape when his tractor collided with a passenger train at the level crossing at around 2.40pm on June 20.

He did not suffer serious injuries.

The crossing is the only place from which Tomás can access about 30 acres of land, located across the track.

There were two other access points but both also involved crossing the railway.

In the late 90s, agreement was reached between the Carroll family and Irish Rail to close these two crossings.

Tomas’s brother John said Irish Rail had not made any approaches in recent times to deal with this crossing, even though his father, the late Gus Carroll, wrote to Iarnród Éireann for a period of up to five years.

“I got a phone call to say my brother was driving a tractor and was in a collision with a train. The picture you get in your head is not a nice one. He was extremely lucky to survive.

“It is very sad that it has taken a ‘near-death’ experience for something to happen. When the train usage increased from two a week to 20 per day there should have been a survey carried out,” he added.

Irish Rail spokesman Barry Kenny said the company and CIÉ had talks with the Carroll family on an alternative access, but could not reach agreement.

“Iarnród Éireann and CIÉ are more than willing to reopen discussions if circumstances have changed,” said Mr Kenny.