Train death

‘Address unmanned rail crossings issue’ – IFA

Iarnród Éireann called on to upgrade rural rail crossings after Straide tragedy

Áine Ryan

THE Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has called on Iarnród Éireann to address issues about un-automated, unmanned level crossings, in light of last week’s tragedy near Straide, which resulted in the death of a retired farmer.
Fine Gael’s Cllr Michelle Mulherin has also strongly criticised the national rail authority for not planning to automate its 1,200 unmanned level crossings that traverse hundreds of the country’s lightly-populated minor and private roads.
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) spokesman, Mr Barry Kenny, told The Mayo News yesterday (Monday) that the body could not justify the implementation of such a project, which would cost in the region of €1.2 billion. He also said that Irish Rail exercises a safer regime than many other countries, such as France and New Zealand, where there are no gates.
Mr Kenny declined to comment specifically on last week’s tragic accident, in which retired farmer, Mr PJ McGowan was killed instantly, after his car was struck by the 10.50am passenger train from Ballina to Manulla junction at Straide. Ironically, Mr McGowan had escaped death almost 40 years ago in a similar incident at a level-crossing. Mr Kenny did, however, confirm that the train driver had done everything he could to avoid the fatal crash which occurred at Knocshanbhala, Straide at 11.07am on Thursday morning last.    
Mr Kenny told The Mayo News yesterday that over the last year or so court prosecutions were being used as a deterrent against those who failed to close the gates after traversing such crossings.
“One of the measures Iarnród Éireann has been taking to try and prevent such tragedies is the prosecution of dozens of people across the country who have persistently misused the crossings,” said Mr Kenny.
“We have also distributed information booklets to crossing-users and we implore people to use the crossings safely, to check the line before they cross it and to always close the gate after them,” he continued.
In November 2006, Iarnród Éireann published and distributed a booklet entitled, ‘The Safe use of Unattended Railway Level Crossings’. They have also recently made a DVD which has been distributed to schools.
Chairman of Mayo IFA, Mr Martin Gavin, said last week’s tragedy ‘highlighted’ the urgency of the rail authority addressing ongoing issues to do with the network of crossings on minor roads and farmers’ lands.
“With the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor there will be further problems because there will be many more crossings on private lands and back roads,” said Mr Gavin last night.
Cllr Michelle Mulherin also said the tragedy at Straide further strengthened the case for  the automation of crossings.
“Crossings should be automated where there is a public roadway that is used regularly. For example, you can’t expect a woman to get out of her car in the middle of the night to open and close these gateways in isolated and often unlit areas. Or, moreover, a disabled driver who uses a wheelchair.” She stressed that such crossings that were on privately-owned land and only used by one or two persons were obviously different.   
A year ago four people appeared before Judge Mary Devins charged with failing to close an Iarnród Éireann gate at Knockaphunta, near Castlebar. The court was told that the four accused were not the only members of the public who had been observed misusing the crossing. While Judge Devins conceded that the issue needed to be highlighted, since it was potentially ‘lethal’, she observed that some of the signage was not adequate and strangers to the area would be confused by it.
Despite the fact that counsel for Iarnród Éireann, Mr Rory O’Connor, argued that there had been recent convictions and fines of €1,000 in Galway and Sligo courts, the judge chose not to convict and instead ordered the defendants to pay €50 each to the local Special Olympic Fund. 
Mr PJ McGowan was buried after a service at St Peter and Paul’s Church, Straide, last Sunday morning.