Clare Man Killed By Train

A 62-year-old man from County Claire has died after being hit by a train.

The accident happened on the Ennis to Colbert line in the townland of Ralahine South, Newmarket-on-Fergus, just after 10pm last night.

It is believed the man was taking farm animals over the track at the time.

The train driver alerted gardaí and emergency services. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

This latest incident comes only days of a similar accident, which led to the death of a teenager.

On Saturday, an 18-year-old man died after he was struck by the Limerick to Ballybrophy train close to Nenagh shortly before 6pm.

He was taken to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, where he later died.

It is believed he was with friends at the time but may have been following a dog that strayed onto the track when the incident occurred.

Last week, the Rail Safety Commission published its annual safety statistical report for the past year, saying it findings were "generally positive".

There were no direct deaths attributed directly to Ireland's railway operations during the year, as well as decreases in the number of train collisions, derailments and a continued "reduction in the number of rolling stock incidents", the report said.

The report's executive summary said: "The RSC continues to foster and encourage railway safety within the railway industry and whenever possible with third parties and the public. "

(DW)