Latest news with #IarnródÉireann
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner view: Cameras could contribute to road safety
A scheme has been launched which aims to improve safety at level crossings around the country and, to judge by the data gathered by Iarnród Éireann, not before time. Cars dicing with death as they dodge level crossing barriers are a mainstay of candid-camera clip shows, but the damage done by such vehicles is a serious matter. According to Iarnród Éireann, there have been 30 incidents at various level crossings around the country so far this year. Some 11 of those incidents resulted in road users being injured or resulted in those crossings being damaged. This scheme is being rolled out initially on a pilot basis, with Garda GoSafe cameras used to record motorists using the crossings. The cameras will automatically issue fines of €160 for speeding and €80 for breaking a red light, while drivers will also be liable for three penalty points. According to Iarnród Éireann, the cameras are designed to be easily relocatable and will be deployed where needed. This scheme is welcome, particularly if we have dozens of incidents at level crossings. Given the speed of trains, there is a significant threat to life if a motorist disregards warning signals and tries to cross when it is unsafe. Yet, there is also an obvious question to be asked. Given the carnage on our roads, surely such cameras should be installed at traffic lights all around the country? A driver avoided jail earlier this week for breaking a red light in Dublin and hitting a pensioner in her eighties, leaving her with serious and life-changing injuries. Many of us could share similar stories of red lights being ignored by a variety of road users, all of whom seem able to break the law with impunity. This level crossing camera scheme is welcome, but a similar project centred on some of the busiest road intersections around the country would ensure better driving discipline — and prevent some catastrophic accidents. Weaponising migration One of the hottest red-button issues in modern Ireland is the topic of migration, which has become so emotive a subject that even the blandest discussion has to contend with disinformation and misrepresentation of the facts from the start. However, an understandable reluctance to engage with a matter beloved by far-right agitators may have led to a general lack of examination of the subject. Now, the EU itself is warning about the overt weaponisation of migrants by the likes of Russia and Belarus. While we are aware of the Russian fondness for cyberattacks, EU border agency Frontex has said we must also expect 'hybrid attacks' that include provocation of EU border personnel and sabotage of border infrastructure. The agency added: 'A growing area of concern is the potential infiltration into irregular migrant flows of mercenaries or war veterans with advanced combat capabilities. 'These individuals pose an elevated security risk, particularly if integrated into organised crime networks.' Frontex added that with migration from conflict zones increasing, so does the risk of criminals, terrorists, saboteurs, and intelligence operatives 'infiltrating' migration routes. There are further complications arising from the new US migration regime, with Frontex pointing out that these changes have the potential to increase pressure on European air borders by 'directing migratory flows of Venezuelan, Colombian, and Cuban nationals', as well as non-Latin American migrants towards the EU. Addressing these issues is complicated by the far right's adoption of migration as one of its key talking points. This has led to a rhetorical trap wherein any effort to discuss migration rationally can be weaponised as agreement with the far right, when nothing could be further from the truth. The irony here is that the 'criminals, terrorists, saboteurs, and intelligence operatives' identified by Frontex are not migrants in any sense of the word, but the agents of rogue states working to a political agenda of destabilisation. This is a matter of national security which needs urgent discussion rather than being ignored for fear of awkward conversations. What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here Club windfall Irish soccer international Caoimhín Kelleher completed his €15m transfer from Premier League champions Liverpool to Brentford this week. The 26-year-old Corkman has enjoyed several successful years at Liverpool but has clearly moved to get more first-team action with the London club. Kelleher's career is not the only beneficiary of the move. Because he left Liverpool with a year remaining on his contract, a clause brokered by his schoolboy club was activated. Ringmahon Rangers will now receive a minimum of €3m, with specific milestones around appearances and league position, triggering add-on payments. That payout comes from Liverpool, but Fifa's statute of solidarity payments means Ringmahon will also receive a payment from Brentford, believed to be approximately €750,000. As Kelleher spent some time with Rockmount AFC (Roy Keane's first club), they will also receive a portion of the main payout — some €600,000 — and a small cut of the Fifa solidarity payment. It is fitting that the clubs which trained Kelleher and brought him through to professional success should benefit. It is also fitting that the two clubs involved — Ringmahon Rangers and Rockmount — are both well known for their commitment to their communities and for the time and energy they invest in their underage structures. The windfall from the transfer could hardly go to better organisations in terms of the benefit to the clubs themselves and to their respective catchment areas. Read More Irish Examiner view: Disturbing revelations by RTÉ Investigates about nursing homes
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
Irish Rail releases shocking footage of close calls at level crossings
Irish Rail have issued a shocking video as they urge the public to be vigilant at level crossings. With as many as thirty incidents of misuse of the crossings being recorded so far this is an increase on the 28 witnessed in 2024 Eleven of these incidents resulted in damage to the crossing or injury to the person using the crossing, with the vast majority seeing road vehicles colliding with crossing gates. Irish Rail have issued a shocking video as they urge the public to be vigilant at level crossings. Pic: Iarnród Éireann Five incidents have occurred at the level crossing on Serpentine Avenue in Dublin, making it the most frequent spot for misuse. This was followed by Sutton, with three incidents, and Bray, Claremont, Coolmine and Sandymount, with two incidents each. Now, Irish Rail has released footage of some of the incidents as part of its safety appeal to mark International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD). Today is International Level Crossing Awareness day ⁰⁰We will be hosting user education days at various crossings around the country in conjunction with @gardatraffic, @RSAIreland and @DubCityCouncil ⁰⁰#AlwaysSafe #ILCAD — Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) June 5, 2025 They have also partnered with An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority to host information mornings at ten level crossings in a bid to educate road users further. For DART users, these information mornings will take place at Sutton, Cosh, Bray, Merrion Gates and Serpentine Avenue. 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. With as many as thirty incidents of misuse of the crossings being recorded so far this is an increase on the 28 witnessed in 2024. Pic: Iarnród Éireann Another safety initiative being implemented is up to six Garda/Go Safe safety cameras being installed at railway level crossings to 'enhance safety for rail and road users.' There are currently 861 level crossings on the Irish Rail network nationwide. Irish Rail have now said they are working to eliminate as many level crossings as practicable, having closed 134 crossings since 2014. While level crossing accidents account for 1% of road deaths in Europe, but 31% of all rail fatalities, there have been no level crossing fatalities in Ireland since 2010.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Iarnród Éireann releases CCTV footage of level crossing crashes, with 30 incidents so far this year
The majority of level crossing incidents involve road vehicles colliding with crossing gates or barriers, resulting in damage to the crossing/barriers. The most frequent locations involved in incidents are: Serpentine Ave (five incidents, Sutton (three incidents) as well as Bray, Claremont, Coolmine and Sandymount (two incidents each). The data was published on International Level Crossing Awareness day (ILCAD), an initiative of the International Union of Railways (UIC) of which Iarnród Éireann is a member. The theme for this year's campaign is: 'safe decisions – every time.' Iarnród Éireann has partnered with An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority to host information mornings at 10 level crossings on ILCAD. The focus of these information sessions is to inform and educate road users about the dangers of not acting safely at level crossings. Iarnród Éireann has also released footage of incidents at level crossings and have appealed for renewed vigilance from all road users, with particular emphasis this year on making good decisions when it comes to level crossings. Together with gardaí, the state company is planning to operate six garda/Go Safe safety cameras at railway level crossings. The cameras will record motorists using the crossing and will automatically issue a fine of €160 in respect of speeding, or €80 in respect of breaking a red light. Perpetrators will also be liable for three penalty points on their licence. ADVERTISEMENT The cameras will enhance safety for rail and road users alike, including pedestrians and cyclists, by deterring risk-taking at chosen locations. As level crossings represent a new deployment of the garda Go Safe system, the cameras will run in test initially, with activation upon successful test completion. The cameras are easy to relocate and they will be deployed dependent on driver behaviour. Where these safety cameras have been deployed across the roads network, driver compliance of up to 98.6pc has been achieved. At user operated level crossings, Iarnród Éireann continues to install additional train detection warning systems. These measures have now been introduced at 72 user operated level crossings, with a further seven to be commissioned in the coming months and have been well received within the communities that are served by them. There are currently 861 level crossings on the Iarnród Éireann network. These are a combination of automated CCTV crossings, manned crossings and unmanned user operated accommodation crossings. As part of its network wide Level crossing elimination programme, Iarnród Éireann is working to eliminate as many level crossings as practicable. The company has closed 134 crossings between 2014 and June 2025. Almost 300 people die at level crossings across Europe every year and level crossing accidents account for 1pc of road deaths in Europe but 31pc of all rail fatalities. Although Ireland's record is far stronger than the European average, and there have been no level crossing fatalities since 2010, vigilance is essential and Iarnród Éireann is reminding all road users of this on International Level Crossing Safety Awareness day. Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann said: '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 Times
a day ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Garda cameras planned for railway level crossings, with automatic fines and penalty points
There have been 30 railway level-crossing incidents so far this year, with 11 resulting in injuries or damage to the crossings, according to Iarnród Éireann . It says Garda safety cameras will be introduced at crossings, resulting in possible fines and penalty points for motorists. The data was published on International Level Crossing Awareness day (ILCAD), an initiative of the International Union of Railways (UIC) of which Iarnród Éireann is a member. An Garda Síochána plans to introduce up to six Go Safe safety cameras at railway level crossings. READ MORE The cameras will record motorists using the crossing and will automatically issue a fine of €160 in respect of speeding, or €80 in respect of breaking a red light. Motorists will be liable for three penalty points for either. The most frequent locations involved in level crossing incidents are in counties Dublin and Wicklow – Serpentine Avenue in Ballsbridge (five incidents), Sutton (three incidents) and Bray, Claremont, Coolmine and Sandymount (two incidents at each). The majority of level crossing incidents involve vehicles striking crossing gates or barriers, resulting in damage. There are currently 861 level crossings on the Iarnród Éireann network, and these are a combination of automated CCTV crossings, manned crossings and unmanned user-operated accommodation crossings. Iarnród Éireann has closed 134 crossings between 2014 and June 2025, and the company says it is working to eliminate as many level crossings as practicable. Iarnród Éireann chief executive Jim Meade said: 'I welcome the forthcoming roll out of Go Safe cameras at our level crossings. 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.' Almost 300 people die at level crossings across Europe every year and level-crossing incidents account for 1 per cent of road deaths in Europe, and 31 per cent of all rail fatalities. Ireland's record remains stronger than the European average, with no level crossing fatalities since 2010.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Safety cameras to be placed at rail network level crossings
Up to six mobile safety cameras are to be introduced at level-crossings on the rail network as part of efforts to deter risky behaviour by road users. The Garda GoSafe cameras, which will initially operate in a test phase, will be used to record motorists inappropriately using the crossings. Iarnród Éireann said the cameras are designed to be easily relocatable and will be deployed dependent on driver behaviour. The cameras will automatically issue a fine of €160 for speeding and €80 for breaking a red light, with the motorists also liable for three penalty points. Iarnród Éireann said it hopes the cameras will "enhance safety for rail and road users alike, including pedestrians and cyclists, by deterring risk-taking at chosen locations". So far this year, there have been 30 incidents of level crossing misuse, up slightly on the 28 recorded during the same time last year. Iarnród Éireann said 11 of the incidents resulted in road users being injured or crossings being damaged. The majority of level crossing incidents involve road vehicles colliding with crossing gates or barriers, resulting in damage to the crossing/barriers. The crossing at Serpentine Avenue in Ballsbridge in Dublin accounted for the largest number of incidents, with five recorded since the start of the year. Sutton in Dublin had three incidents, while the other most frequent locations include Claremont, Coolmine and Sandymount in Dublin along with Bray in Co Wicklow, which all recorded two incidents. To coincide with International Level Crossing Awareness Day, an appeal has been issued for renewed vigilance from all road users. As part of the campaign, Iarnród Éireann, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority are today hosting information mornings at ten level crossings across the country. The focus of the information sessions is to "inform and educate road users about the dangers of not acting safely at level crossings." There are currently 861 level crossings, including automated CCTV crossings, manned crossings and unmanned user operated crossings. Iarnród Éireann said it has installed additional train detection warning systems at 72 user operated level crossings, with a further seven to be commissioned in the coming months. The operator of the national railway network said it is continuing work to "eliminate as many level crossings as practicable." Between 2014 and June 2025, the company closed down 134 crossings, with the overall number down by over 60% since the 1990s. However, with so many level crossings still in operation, Iarnród Éireann has issued reminders to road users of their "onus to use crossings responsibly." At automatic crossings, the advice is to always stop safely when the warning lights begin to flash and to never go through crossings when barriers are about to lower or lowering. At staff operated crossings, the appeal is to respect gatekeepers, whose role is to ensure the safety of road users and rail users, so the advice is so stop immediately when the gatekeeper requests it. At user operated crossings, road users are requested to stop before crossing to check the line, check the line again after crossing, and always close the gate after use for their safety and that of others. Across Europe, around 300 people die at level crossings across every year, accounting for 1% of road deaths on the continent but accounting for 31% of all rail fatalities.
