Iarnrod Eireann says it is investigating why a train with more than 100 passengers crashed through safety barriers and crossed a road as it approached Waterford station.
The incident, involving the Dublin-Waterford train, happened at a level crossing near Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny, at about 10.20 a.m. on Monday.
The manually-operated gates were closed across the track, leaving the way open for traffic to cross. The driver was unable to stop the nine-carriage train before it reached the barriers. No one was injured.
A company spokesman said a thorough internal investigation was taking place. Led by the company's district manager in Waterford, Mr Paul Cheevers, it is likely to take several weeks to complete and will include interviews with all the parties concerned, including the driver, the gatekeeper and signal operators.
The company has declined to comment on speculation that the accident may have been due to a signal failure. "Obviously we're very concerned that this could happen," the spokesman said.
The level crossing where the accident occurred is on a by-road about six miles from Waterford city. The maximum speed on the stretch of line concerned is 60 m.p.h. The company discounted the possibility that the train could have been derailed.
