Irish Rail releases footage of level crossing crashes and near-misses as part of safety appeal
This is an increase on the 28 incidents recorded at the same time last year.
Eleven of these incidents resulted in damage to the crossing or injury to the person using the crossing, with the majority involving road vehicles colliding with crossing gates or barriers.
The level crossing on Serpentine Avenue in Dublin was the most frequent location involved in incidents, with five.
This was followed by Sutton, with three incidents, and Bray, Claremont, Coolmine and Sandymount, with two incidents taking place at each level crossing.
Irish Rail has released footage of some of the incidents as part of its safety appeal to mark International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD).
The company has partnered with An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority to host information mornings at ten level crossings to mark ILCAD and educate road users about the dangers of not acting safely at level crossings.
For DART users, these information mornings will take place at Sutton, Cosh, Bray, Merrion Gates and Serpentine Avenue.
Advertisement
For the national network, they will be held at Lisnagry, Co Limerick; Farranfore, Co Kerry; Athenry, Co Galway; Sullivan's Crossing, Co Galway and Oranmore, Co Galway.
New safety cameras
The company also announced that Gardaí are planning to introduce up to six Garda/Go Safe safety cameras to operate at railway level crossings to 'enhance safety for rail and road users'.
The cameras will record motorists using the crossing and will automatically issue a fine of €160 for speeding, or €80 for breaking a red light, and are liable for three penalty points for either.
'Driver behaviour is becoming more and more problematic at level crossings and I believe these measures will result in improved safety for all, protecting rail and road users alike,' Irish Rail CEO Jim Meade said.
The cameras will initially operate in a test phase and become fully activated once the test is completed. Irish Rail said they will be deployed dependent on driver behaviour.
'Where these safety cameras have been deployed across the roads network, driver compliance of up to 98.6% is achieved,' it said.
There are currently 861 level crossings on the Irish Rail network. These are a combination of automated CCTV crossings, manned crossings and unmanned user operated accommodation crossings.
Irish Rail said it is working to eliminate as many level crossings as practicable, having closed 134 crossings since 2014.
Almost 300 people die at level crossings across Europe every year. Level crossing accidents account for 1% of road deaths in Europe, but 31% of all rail fatalities.
Irish Rail said there have been no level crossing fatalities in Ireland since 2010. However, it said vigilance is 'essential'.
It reminded users of the onus to use crossings responsibly:
At automatic crossings: stop safely when the warning lights begin to flash. Never go through crossings when barriers are about to lower or lowering.
At staff operated crossings: respect gatekeepers, whose role is to ensure your safety and that of rail users. Stop immediately when the gatekeeper requests it.
At user operated crossings: Always stop before crossing to check the line, check the line again after crossing, and always close the gate after use for your safety and that of others.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
10 hours ago
- Irish Times
Second person dies following road crash in Carndonagh, Co Donegal
A second person has died following a road traffic collision in Carndonagh, Co Donegal on Wednesday evening. An Garda Síochána said the woman (20s) who was driving the vehicle died at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast on Thursday. A six-year-old girl was fatally injured in the crash on the R240 road at Carrowmore, Glentogher, which involved a car and a van. Gardaí and the emergency services were alerted to the crash shortly before 6.30pm. Two others people who were travelling in the vehicle remain in hospital. READ MORE 'A female child, who was a rear passenger, is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Royal Victoria Hospital,' An Garda Síochána said in a statement. 'A male front seat passenger (30s) is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry.' The road was closed on Thursday while a technical examination was carried out but it has since reopened. The scene of the crash on the R240 between Quigleys Point and Carndonagh in North Donegal. Photograph: Joe Dunne/North West Newspix Albert Doherty, a Sinn Féin councillor for the Carndonagh area, said the local community was 'raw with grief' at the news of the crash. 'Our local community just feel devastated that once again a local family have been challenged and having to face the loss of a loved one, it's terrible news here.' Cllr Doherty told RTÉ Morning Ireland that conditions for driving at the time were favourable, but that the road in question had been the scene of previous fatal crashes. 'Unfortunately locally here in Carndonagh at the turn of this year, we had the tragic loss of a young man. And here again now, a local family are having to face the terrible, terrible burden of losing a loved one...' A parish priest who rushed to hospital following the tragic crash said he would never forget the scenes in the emergency department. Fr Con McLaughlin attended Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry as soon as he heard about the incident in an effort to provide comfort for those involved. 'On hearing about the accident I went straight over to Altnagelvin Hospital and the scene (in accident and emergency) is something I will never forget,' he said. 'In the community there is a shock and a disbelief. One can only imagine what the family are going through and I witnessed that pain in the hospital last night. 'The scene in the hospital was just so, so sad. You had doctors and nurses running around trying to do their best to help these poor helpless people. It is something I will never, ever forget. 'I just wanted to be a presence there for the family and I did not speak too much but I just wanted them to know that we are all there for them.' Sinn Féin TD for Donegal Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said it was 'such heart breaking news this morning about another tragedy on our roads in Donegal'. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dashcam) and were travelling in the area between 6pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday are asked to make this footage available to gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda station at 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Irish Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man hospitalised in vicious assault one day after failed 'citizens arrest'
A group of people attempted a 'citizens arrest' on a man in Limerick just one day before he was viciously assaulted and hospitalised. On Monday, June 30, Gardaí said a number of members of the public expressed their concern to officers at Henry Street Garda Station in Limerick City, for the alleged behaviour of a man who had earlier been seated in the People's Park. This followed a widely circulated false social media post on Sunday, purporting false claims that a man allegedly attempted to 'call a child to come with him', with a picture of the man also being shared. On Monday, a group found the man in the park, recording him as they subjected the bewildered man to verbal abuse and baseless accusations of inappropriate behaviour, before walking the man to Henry Street Garda Station, around five minutes away from the park. This video was also posted to various social media platforms, being shared across X by a number of accounts. In the video one person can be heard telling the man 'I should hack your head off'. In another video the group can be seen walking the man to Henry Street Garda Station. Gardaí confirmed that after carrying out enquiries, officers were satisfied that the alleged conduct was "not of a criminal nature and was nothing untoward". Gardaí also said the man "fully co-operated with Gardaí during the course of their enquiries". On Tuesday, July 3, the same man who was subjected to vile abuse in People's Park was viciously assaulted outside Colbert Station on Limerick's Parnell Street at around 3:45pm, in an attack that has been condemned by local councillors and charity organisations. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Gardaí have now launched an investigation following the assault, University Hospital Limerick to be treated for non-life threatening injuries sustained during the incident. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident of assault to contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061 214340 , the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Authorities have also urged for the public to not share any of the posts on social media related to these incidents. They also stressed that Gardaí are the sole agency responsible for policing, stressing the public should contact gardaí directly if their is any criminal behaviour. A spokesperson told the Irish Mirror: 'Under Section 9 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, 2024 An Garda Síochána is the sole agency with the statutory role of preserving peace and public order. 'It is the statutory role of An Garda Síochána to investigate crime and enforce enacted legislation, ensuring that every citizen is afforded their constitutional right to innocence until proven guilty and a human rights-based criminal investigation. 'An Garda Síochána urge anyone with information regarding breaches of criminal law to report it directly to us, where it will be investigated thoroughly and professionally. 'An Garda Síochána work closely with the communities we serve in line with our mission of keeping people safe. 'In addition to Garda Community Policing Units, An Garda Síochána has a number of initiatives in place nationwide to facilitate engagement with people and allow them report any concerns in their area including Community Alert, Neighbourhood Watch, Community Text Alert, 'See Something, Say Something' and the Garda Confidential Line: 1800 666 111. 'An Garda Síochána is aware of the misinformation and disinformation currently in circulation online with regard to the initial concerns raised with Gardaí, and ask that any content shared is not forwarded onwards or further posted.' Doras, an independent, non-profit, non-governmental, human rights organisation working to promote and protect the rights of refugees and migrants, condemned the assault as a 'targeted act of harassment and violence'. A spokesperson told the Irish Mirror: 'We are appalled by the recent assault in Limerick of a man from a migrant background, following unfounded and fabricated allegations against him. 'This was a targeted act of harassment and violence. It has understandably caused fear and distress within migrant communities – and, rightly, outrage among the vast majority of people in Limerick who reject racism and vigilantism. 'Limerick has a proud tradition of being a welcoming and inclusive city. Organised hate and harassment of any group has no place here – and it must not be tolerated. 'We urge everyone: please do not share or engage with posts or videos that spread false claims. Doing so can put innocent people in real danger. 'Doras is providing support to the man affected, and we stand firmly with all migrants and others who face harassment or violence simply because of who they are. 'If you witness or experience racism or a hate crime, please contact us at 083 008 6391 or email: mvs@
Sunday World
19 hours ago
- Sunday World
Grandad became drug mule because he couldn't afford to buy kids Christmas presents
Patrick Kelly (63) himself acknowledged in garda interview that this was 'a suicide mission' and 'complete madness'. A man who agreed to act as a drugs mule because he was so depressed by the fact that he couldn't afford to buy his grandchildren Christmas presents has been jailed for importing cannabis. Custom officers stopped Patrick Kelly (63) this January as he was coming through Dublin Airport as they thought he was acting 'suspicious and evasive'. The luggage he was carrying was later searched and found to contain just under 20kg of cannabis, worth an estimated €398,680. Kelly himself acknowledged in garda interview that this was 'a suicide mission' and 'complete madness'. Kelly of Moneymore, Drogheda, County Louth, came forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on signed pleas from the District Court. He pleaded guilty to importation of cannabis at Dublin Airport on January 12, 2025. He also admitted to having cannabis for sale or supply on the same date. cannabis stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 2nd He has minor previous convictions for road traffic offences and has been on remand in custody since his arrest in January. Judge Orla Crowe said it was 'a very considerable amount of drugs' and Kelly had taken 'a significant level of personal risk'. She accepted he had acted as a drugs mule and acknowledged that he had financial difficulties at the time but commented that many others find themselves in similar financial circumstances and 'don't succumb' to taking up such roles. She noted the impact drugs have on society and added that Kelly got involved for financial gain. Judge Crowe jailed Kelly for three years and backdated the offence to when he first went into custody. Antonia Boyle BL, prosecuting, said that Kelly told gardaí in interview that since his retirement in November 2023 he had been living 'hand to mouth' on his pension. He became very depressed around Christmas time, particularly because he had no money to get presents for his two grandchildren. Kelly said he was targeted by someone who knew of his financial situation and was offered money to take a suitcase from Thailand into Dublin. It was accepted by gardaí that Kelly had been exploited and that he accepted himself in interview that what he had done was very wrong. Michael Hourigan SC, defending, said Kelly had started his working life in a bakery before moving to London for about 20 years where he worked in construction. He then returned to Ireland with his family. He worked for some time in a coal yard before he moved to work with Irish Rail. He remained with Irish Rail until his retirement in 2023. Counsel said someone known to Kelly was aware of his personal circumstances and 'invited him into the operation'. Mr Hourigan said his client never asked for bail and co-operated with the garda investigation. Kelly is currently on an enhanced regime in prison. Counsel asked the court to accept that Kelly 'accepted responsibility from the very beginning'.
