East Mayo community plunged into sadness following tragic death of 12-year-old boy
Ballyhaunis Parish Priest says community will rally around family of boy who died after a train collided with a car at a level crossing
The Parish Priest of Ballyhaunis has said east Mayo has been plunged into sadness following the death of a 12 year old boy when the car in which he was a passenger was struck by a train.
The boy was pronounced dead last night after the 6.15pm Heuston to Westport train service struck a car at the XM160 level crossing in the townland of Kiltybo outside Ballyhaunis shortly before 9pm. An adult male, understood to be the boy's father, was also in the car at the time, and was brought to hospital. His injuries are understood not to be life-threatening.
The name of the boy has yet to be released but it is understood that he is a local to the Ballyhaunis community and his family are well-known in GAA circles in east Mayo. It is understood that the boy had been training with the local GAA club earlier that evening and had just dropped a friend to his home when the car was struck by the train at the unmanned level crossing close to the Roscommon county boundary.
Local Parish Priest, Fr Stephen Farragher, who attended the scene of the tragedy said there is a sense of terrible sadness around the east Mayo town and expressed his condolences to the boy's family.
“There is terrible sadness around the community and a contrast to the scenes of joy we have been experiencing around the county and the town since winning Sam Maguire. Just last week the young boy was photographed with Sam Maguire and this tragedy puts everything into perspective,” he told The Mayo News.
Fr Farragher said that he said prayers for the boy and his family as well as the train driver at Mass this morning and could see the sense of 'terrible sadness' among members of the congregation. However he added that he knows the community will provide whatever support they can to the family and friends of the young boy.
“We have a great community here in Ballyhaunis and one thing for sure is the community and the GAA club will rally around the family and offer support in any way they can,” he said.
Following the collision at the level crossing, emergency services attended the scene and all passengers on the train safely disembarked and onward transport was arranged.
Iarnród Éireann expressed sympathy to the family of the young boy and confirmed that the line will remain closed between Westport and Athlone until further notice and replacement bus services are being provided.
Iarnród Éireann immediately commenced a full investigation into the incident and An Garda Síochána remain on site with Iarnród Éireann staff assisting.
Local TD, Paul Lawless expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the young boy saying that it was ‘a devastating tragedy’ and loss for the local community.
“This is so devastating and upsetting for the whole community and my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young boy and those involved in the collision. It is so sad to think that the boy had only returned to school and had been training with his local club and is no longer with us. It is a devastating tragedy,” he said.
The Aontú TD also called for a review into unmanned level crossings around the country and lessons are learned from this tragedy.
“There are a number of these types of level crossing around the country which are unmanned and rudimentary in nature. We need to ensure that all the necessary signage and lighting is in place to warn motorists of oncoming trains, especially those motorists who may not be aware of the crossings,” he said.