Article on tragic accident in ashington near ashtown

ThomasJ · 28-03-2016, 20:37

From the Irish times
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/irela...tate-1.2590060

Extract from article

Quote:

A number of local residents said on Monday they had previously raised concerns with Irish Rail about the dangers of access to the rail line.
“We were very shocked to hear what happened,” one woman walking with her husband said “but that problem of people getting through the fence and crossing the rail line has been going on for years.”
Another woman who was walking on the large open green space with her two small children said she would be concerned about them playing in the area on their own when they were older.
“My two are only small, but I know the teenagers here are always getting over the wall and through the fence and the ditch is just below them, then train tracks that are always busy.”
Irish Rail said there was an ongoing problem with people trespassing on the line at this point.
“We have had repeated incidences of the palisade fencing being damaged. The last time it was repaired was on March 12th, and it was last checked on March 21st and it was intact at that time,” spokesman Barry Kenny said.
“We have line inspection staff walking this line very regularly. Trespass on the rail line is something we always look to prevent.”
Mr Kenny extended his sympathies to the families of the deceased.
Irish Rail was granted planning permission for a new train station at Ashington Green in October 2014, but no work has progressed on the project. A new footbridge over the canal and rail line was included in the grant of permission.

Heartbreaking, thoughts go out to the family.

Second drowning tragedy involving a child at that location.

Station article referring to is pelletstown.

Jamie2k9 · 28-03-2016, 22:01

If the locals raised such issues with their beloved children or even with the community in general it wouldn't happen both trespassing and repeatedly breaking the fence.

Irish Rail cannot be blamed in anyway like some councilors have said and at the end of the day the people in question took the decision to trespass and have paid a heavy price as have their families. While most wouldn't expect something as tragic to happen there is always a chance and this time it did. It is not designed for walking.

ThomasJ · 28-03-2016, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie2k9

Irish Rail cannot be blamed in anyway like some councilors have said and at the end of the day the people in question took the decision to trespass and have paid a heavy price as have their families. While most wouldn't expect something as tragic to happen there is always a chance and this time it did. It is not designed for walking.

Agreed but 3 people have died at that spot now and yet people will continue to take risks in that area.

The proposed station for pelletstown/ashington seemed to factor in the need for a footbridge in the area.

Jamie2k9 · 28-03-2016, 22:25

Bet once the investigation is concluded, normal service will resume by locals.

CCTV and Prosecutions will only deal with the issue.

ThomasJ · 29-03-2016, 07:53

Surely it would be in all parties interests if a footbridge was to be built over the line with access from ashington? That's a do minimum scenario.

Otherwise you are going to have this continuos risk, have staff walking the line to check and not to mention the publicity from a story like this.

Is it not in best interests for Irish rail to sit down with the council on this.

Inniskeen · 29-03-2016, 08:14

This area has been subject to trespass, vandalism, stone throwing and anti-social behaviour for at least 40 years. Clearly there is also the issue that the railway bisects the local community which has expanded dramatically over the last decade driving increased trespass risk. Primarily another planning failure but may still be hard for IR to avoid being press-ganged into providing a footbridge despite the responsibility being primarily that of other entities.

28-03-2016, 22:01	#2
Jamie2k9 Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,146	If the locals raised such issues with their beloved children or even with the community in general it wouldn't happen both trespassing and repeatedly breaking the fence. Irish Rail cannot be blamed in anyway like some councilors have said and at the end of the day the people in question took the decision to trespass and have paid a heavy price as have their families. While most wouldn't expect something as tragic to happen there is always a chance and this time it did. It is not designed for walking. Last edited by Jamie2k9 : 28-03-2016 at 22:13.

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28-03-2016, 22:25	#4
Jamie2k9 Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,146	Bet once the investigation is concluded, normal service will resume by locals. CCTV and Prosecutions will only deal with the issue.

29-03-2016, 07:53	#5
ThomasJ Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Clonsilla Posts: 2,812	Surely it would be in all parties interests if a footbridge was to be built over the line with access from ashington? That's a do minimum scenario. Otherwise you are going to have this continuos risk, have staff walking the line to check and not to mention the publicity from a story like this. Is it not in best interests for Irish rail to sit down with the council on this.

29-03-2016, 08:14	#6
Inniskeen Really Regular Poster Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 951	This area has been subject to trespass, vandalism, stone throwing and anti-social behaviour for at least 40 years. Clearly there is also the issue that the railway bisects the local community which has expanded dramatically over the last decade driving increased trespass risk. Primarily another planning failure but may still be hard for IR to avoid being press-ganged into providing a footbridge despite the responsibility being primarily that of other entities.