Deer blamed as train collisions trebled last year

Collisions involving trains more than trebled last year to reach their highest level in a decade, with deer largely being blamed. Picture: Darragh Kane

The number of collisions involving trains more than trebled last year to reach their highest level in a decade, due largely to a big increase in the number of incidents of trains striking deer.

Figures published by the Commission for Railway Regulation show a total of 72 train collisions were recorded on the Iarnród Éireann rail network during 2020, with the majority involving incidents with large animals.