Iarnród Éireann today met the family of a man killed at a railway level crossing in Co Mayo last month and said it will adopt any recommendations made by the accident investigators.
Retired farmer PJ McGowan was killed on February 28th in a tragic accident at a user-operated level crossing in Straid Co Mayo. Such crossings do not have electronic signalling and the gates must be opened and closed manually by motorists or pedestrians wishing to cross the rail tracks.
Locals have been demanding an automated crossing for the area and following today's meeting a spokesman for Iarnród Éireann said options for the crossing would be immediately explored.
Iarnród Éireann spokesman Barry Kenny said an investigation into the accident was ongoing and the meeting with Mr McGowan's family and members of the community was positive.
He said the company expressed its sincere sympathies to Mr McGowan's family and the community.
Following the meeting, Iarnród Éireann has undertaken to adopt any recommendations made by the chief investigator of the Rail Accident Investigation Unit. The company will meet with the McGowan family again in three months, Mr Kenny said.
The current number of user-operated level crossings is 225.
Mr Kerry said Iarnród Éireann had undertaken extensive work in terms of improving road approaches, resurfacing, signage and views at all crossings in the rail network.
User-operated road crossings were typically on private roads, or lightly used public roads.