Multiple near misses with people on tracks reported with trains servicing Laois

An Urgent Safety Advice notice has been issued to Iarnród Éireann following a number of near misses on train lines in the past three years, three of which involved trains servicing county Laois.

The railway watchdog, Railway Accident Investigation Unit (RAIU), issued the notice which documents eight reported near misses involving trains and Iarnród Éireann employees between 27 February, 2023 and 24 November, 2025.

One such incident occurred between Portarlington and Athlone at Clonnydonnin, County Westmeath which saw an Iarnród Éireann employee manage to step out of the way of an oncoming train within just a matter of seconds during foggy conditions. 

The report states: "On the 9th October 2023 a patrol ganger was undertaking a track patrol; at the start of the patrol, there
was fog present, but as the patrol progressed fog conditions became worse to the point that visibility was poor.

"A train approached at 78 m/ph (126 km/h) with the train driver only seeing the patrol ganger as they moved clear of the line. The patrol ganger saw the lights of the train (they did not hear the train) and stepped clear of the running line onto the adjacent siding (not a position of safety) approximately two to three seconds before the train passed."

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A similar incident was reported on that same single line between Portarlington and Athlone just a few months ago in November 2025. This time it was located at Clonygowan, County Offaly.

The RAIU said a patrol ganger, which is a person who is on patrolling duty, had their back to the approaching train which was travelling at 79 m/ph (127 km/h). Once they heard the train coming, they moved clear to a position of safety just three seconds clear of the train. 

The report noted: "The sighting distance, for the location of the patrol ganger, was approximately 190 m, whereas the minimum sighting distance for the speed of the line is required to be 700 m."

There was also an incident involving the 19:45 service from Heuston Station to Portlaoise in October 2025. Two technicians were on the line rectifying a fault when they were caught unaware by the oncoming train.

The Track Safety Coordinator had been alerted of the train. However, the report states that the train driver saw the two worker's headtorches just ahead on the line and they both moved to different sides. It said that the driver "sounded an extended blast on the horn and made a brake application but did not stop."

The footage of the incident was inclusive as to the exact timing between when the workers got to a position of safety and the train passing, but the report says it is believed to be at least 8 seconds. 

The report stated that there were no injuries as a result of any of the incidents reported. It did, however, warn that "these
incidents pose a serious risk to members of staff on the railway who could be hit by trains, causing injuries or fatalities to one or more members of staff."