CIE chief to be quizzed about rail viaduct collapse

The chairman of CIE is due to be questioned about the collapse of the rail viaduct in the Malahide area of Dublin when he appears before the Oireachtas Transport Committee today.

Disaster was narrowly avoided when a 20-metre section of the bridge collapsed last month shortly after a passing train driver noticed subsidence around the rail line.

It later emerged that concerned locals had reported a possible problem with erosion to Iarnród Éireann.

An inspection was carried out, but it failed to notice that one of the support piers was in danger of collapse.

Officials from the Rail Safety Committee, the Department of Transport and the Rail Accident Investigation Unit are also due to appear before today's meeting.