Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that a person was struck and killed by a train on the Galway to Limerick line on Saturday morning, causing major travel disruption for western commuters.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 6:15 am near Oranmore station. Emergency services and Gardaí (Irish police) were called to the scene immediately. As of 10:30 am, the rail line between Athenry and Galway remains closed to all traffic to allow for a forensic examination of the site.
The following service updates have been confirmed:
- Bus Transfers: Replacement bus services are currently operating between Athenry and Galway for all affected passengers.
- Service Delays: The 7:30 am Galway to Heuston (Dublin) service was delayed by over 100 minutes, eventually departing Athenry at 9:35 am.
- Limerick Route: Significant delays are expected on all services connecting Galway and Limerick throughout the afternoon.
An Iarnród Éireann spokesperson stated that the line will remain shut “until further notice” while investigating officers conclude their work. Passengers traveling to or from Ceannt Station in Galway City are advised to check the official Irish Rail website or the TFI Live app for real-time updates before beginning their journey.
What’s Next
Gardaí are treating the incident as a personal tragedy. Once the site examination is complete, the line will undergo safety checks before being reopened to passenger services. Normal scheduling is expected to resume by late Saturday evening, though knock-on delays may persist.
