Estimated €50k to repair train involved in cattle collision

An investigation has been launched by Irish Rail following an incident where the Dublin to Galway and Westport train collided with a herd of cattle outside Tullamore on Thursday June 28 last.

It's estimated that the cost of repairing the train will be in excess of €50,000.

That's according to Jane Cregan, spokesperson for Irish Rail, who says the train will also be out of service for a number of weeks.

The entire cost of the operation including the transfer of passengers by bus and refunds to those who were caught up in delays is still being worked out.

How the cows wandered onto the line in the first place is still being investigated while the legal department is working on who was at fault.

Significant damage was caused to the train and passengers were left stranded for hours while alternative transport was arranged.

No passengers were injured but eight cattle were killed when the 15.35 train from Heuston to Galway hit the animals which had wandered onto the track at Meenaghan’s Crossing near Tullamore.

Passengers who waited up to three hours had to be bused to Athlone and taken to Galway.

Services to and from Westport and Galway also experienced significant delays as a result.

Services personnel were brought to the site and efforts were made to de-train customers in a safe manner.

Additional water supplies were also delivered to the train given the hot weather.

Senator Gabrielle McFadden, who was on the train when the incident ocurred, said the accident was handled well by Irish Rail who did everything to inform customers of what was happening.