Rail services through north Dublin are expected to be disrupted for several weeks after a viaduct in Malahide collapsed yesterday evening moments after a train passed over it.
About 20 metres of the viaduct over the Broadmeadow estuary between Malahide and Donabate in north Co Dublin collapsed shortly after 6pm.
Iarnród Éireann spokesman Barry Kenny said last night rail services north of Malahide and the Enterprise service between Belfast and Dublin will be closed for “at least several weeks” due to the severe damage to the bridge.
The subsidence began as the 18.07 train from Balbriggan to Connolly station passed over the viaduct. There were up to 50 passengers on board.
The driver noticed the serious subsidence starting and the embankment beginning to give way on the northbound track. He alerted control and raised the alarm at Malahide station.
Keith Farrelly, 33, used his emergency training to coast his train to safety over the embankment.
Mr Kenny pointed out that if the driver hadn’t contacted control, they would have been alerted as the track circuits would have gone when the bridge collapsed. However, Mr Kenny said he was not underestimating how potentially serious the incident was.
Iarnród Éireann said there is “little doubt” the tidal estuary was a factor in the incident. The company is investigating the full circumstances but said the issue was likely to be the viaduct rather than the track.
The rail accident investigation unit of the Department of Transport will also carry out an independent investigation.
Passengers’ representative group Rail Users Ireland said it was a “miracle” people were not killed. Spokesman Mark Gleeson said the incident raised serious questions about the maintenance and inspection regime on Ireland’s rail network.
“This viaduct carries some of the busiest commuter trains in Ireland, it is nothing short of a miracle that the collapse did not result in a serious accident and loss of life,” he said. “While we await the report from the rail accident investigation unit, it is essential that all bridges are inspected nationwide to ensure no critical faults have been overlooked.”
He also demanded cash refunds for all weekly, monthly and annual ticket holders who can no longer travel by train because of the closure.
Some 90 trains a day pass over the bridge. Rail commuters travelling north of Malahide are being advised to travel by Dublin Bus or Bus Éireann services.
Bus transfers are being arranged for services between Belfast and Dublin. A shuttle service is operating between Drogheda and Skerries. Replacement bus services are also running between Dublin and stations north of the city. The Belfast Enterprise service will only run between Belfast and Drogheda, with bus transfers in and out of Dublin.
Iarnród Éireann said local Dart services between Malahide and Howth Junction have resumed, and are operating normally.