Buttevant tragedy relative located ahead of anniversary event

A public appeal has traced a relative of the final Irish victim of the 1980 Buttevant rail tragedy just days before a major 25th anniversary event.

Family members of the 11 Irish dead will light remembrance candles at an official memorial in the north Cork town on August 1.

The Commemorative Committee had been unable to locate relatives of Dublin Arnotts worker Seamus Coffey who was aged 27 at the time of the crash.

But his brother, Michael from Templemore, today contacted the committee after media appeals.

Committee spokesperson Terri O’Gorman said: “We’re absolutely delighted because we had given up hope. Michael never heard about the event but said he would be honoured to take part.

“This brings a fitting finality to our preparations.”

The 12-member group had been trying to trace Mr Coffey’s family since plans for the memorial began in February.

The mother of another Dublin victim, teenager Mark Barron from Palmerstown only contacted the committee last month after radio appeals.

A total of 18 passengers were killed when the Irish rail express train crashed into a siding at 70mph at Buttevant Rail Station in 1980.

Candles will also be lit at the emotional memorial by local representatives of the three English people, two Americans and two Austrians who died in the accident.

The Buttevant disaster, which also injured 62, still ranks as the worst modern transport tragedy in Ireland.

The carriages immediately behind the non-stop train’s engine jack-knifed and were thrown across four sets of rail-line. Two coaches and the dining car were totally demolished by the impact.

The accident sparked the biggest civil emergency operation in Co Cork’s history and led to a massive review of rail safety.

The five-foot tall bronze-cast memorial, which was constructed and inscribed with the victims’ names by Irish Rail in Dublin, was put in place in the station last week.

A reception will be held in the local GAA hall after the open-air ecumenical service and unveiling ceremony.

Eighteen roses representing the victims will be planted by the County Council.

Representatives from the gardaí, the Red Cross, the fire services and the Civil Defence have all been invited.