Relatives mark anniversary of Buttevant rail disaster

Around a thousand people gathered in North Cork today to remember the 18 victims of the worst railway accident in Irish history.

Eleven Irish people, three Britons, two Americans and two Austrians died in the crash, which happened at Buttevant Rail station on August 1, 1980.

On the 25th anniversary of the disaster, relatives of the Irish victims lit memorial candles at a special ceremony outside the station, while locals lit candles on behalf of the foreign victims.

The event was organised by the 12-member Buttevant Disaster Commemorative Committee, which has been tracing relatives of the victims in recent months.

“A fantastic day, really, it was absolutely brilliant,” said spokeswoman Terri O’Donovan.

“All the representatives were represented. People travelled for miles and they were so glad to be here.”

Among those lighting the candles at the special memorial service was the 25-year-old-daughter of Dublin man John O’Connor, who died when she was just six weeks old.

The driver on the day the Dublin-Cork train crashed into a siding at 70mph at the Buttevant station also attended.

“His nephew said it was so good for him. He has lived with this for 25 years,” said Ms O’Dononvan.

A CIE investigation report published in 1981 found that badly set points were to blame for the crash.

A bronze sculpture in the shape of two crossing train tracks was unveiled alongside a plaque commemorating the names of the victims at the Buttevant Railway station.

“Where the monument is placed will be passed by, so people will be stopped beside it and they’ll say a prayer and think of the people who died,” said Ms O’Donovan.

The commemorative committee almost failed to track down the family of Seamus Coffey from Tallaght but one of his brothers in Tipperary spotted a newspaper article about the ceremony two weeks ago and the entire extended family turned up.

The open-air ecumenical service was followed by a reception in the local GAA hall, which was used to treat victims of the crash in 1980.

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

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.

Representatives from the gardaí, the Red Cross, the fire services and the Civil Defence all attended the event.