Iarnród Éireann criticised for lack of consultation

Iarnród Éireann criticised for lack of consultation with Straide community


Michael Duffy

COUNCILLORS did not hold back at yesterday’s (Monday’s) meeting of Mayo County Council when criticising Iarnrod Éireann and their apparent reluctance to engage with  residents in the townlands of Cloonconlon and Knockshanbally, near Straide, with regard to the closure of level crossings in the locality.
Ms Mary Roache gave a detailed presentation to councillors at the meeting with regard to the situation, which came to light after Iarnrod Éireann lodged a planning application which included the permanent closure of three railway crossings, known as XX31, XX32 and XX33.
XX32 was the crossing where local man PJ McGowan lost his life in a tragic accident last year and locals had no problem with this crossing and XX33 being closed, but they were ‘horrified’ to hear of the closing of XX31 as it would end up ‘dividing their community in two’.
Ms Roache explained the sequence of events to the councillors and said it was ‘a farce’ that no consultation had taken place with the locals before the application was lodged. A decision is due to be made by Mayo County Council on the application on March 22, and Director of Services, Mr Joe Loftus, was keen to stress that the Council executive could not comment on the situation while there was a live planning application before the Council.
However, many of the councillors offered their support to the Straide campaign. Cllr Johnny Mee said it was clear that Iarnrod Éireann had acted in an ‘underhanded manner’ and Cllr Gerry Coyle stated that he was delighted to see the people of Straide fighting the company ‘tooth and nail’.
Cathaoirleach of the Council, Cllr Joe Mellett, said it was clear the community in Straide felt  very strongly on the issue as 475 people had signed a petition, and he called on Iarnród Éireann to withdraw the application and engage in discussion with the Straide community at large.