News Story

Tributes have been paid to a 12-year-old boy who died after the car he was in was hit by a train in Co Mayo.

The crash happened at a level crossing in Kiltybo near Ballyhaunis shortly after 8.45pm on Thursday.

The boy, named locally as Eoin Doyle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is understood he and his father Declan had been travelling home from Gaelic football training when the incident happened.

The boy’s father was taken from the scene by ambulance for hospital treatment for non life-threatening injuries.

An Garda Síochána said passengers on the train safely disembarked after the crash and onward transport was arranged.

Eoin was a pupil at Cloonfad National School.

Principal Shane Morgan extended his condolences and said the school and wider community were “heartbroken by the tragic passing of our 6th class pupil Eoin Doyle”.

Eoin was a friendly and kind child,” he said in a statement.

“He was a talented artist and athlete, who loved music and a smile was never far from his face. Eoin will be dearly missed by his friends, and all the pupils and staff of Cloonfad NS. Eoin’s family, neighbours and the community at large are in our thoughts and prayers.”

In a statement on social media, the Ballyhaunis GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) club said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our young club member, Eoin Doyle.

“Eoin was a much loved member of our underage teams, a talented young footballer and, above all, a wonderful young boy who was a great friend and teammate to so many within our club.”

The club said its thoughts were with the boy’s parents, his sister, step-brother and wider family.

“We are also thinking especially of Eoin’s teammates, coaches and friends within the club at this incredibly difficult time,” the statement added.

“Eoin will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by everyone at Ballyhaunis GAA.”

A book of condolence will open in the clubhouse on Saturday.

Eoin was also a member of Ballyhaunis Golf Club and Cloonfad United Football Club. Both clubs also posted tributes to him on Friday.

Mayo TD Paul Lawless said the community was in “utter shock and devastation”.

“There is a deep sense of shock and sadness at this unspeakable tragedy,” said the Aontú representative.

Mr Lawless described Eoin as a “talented, popular and well-liked” boy from a family that is “very widely respected and loved within the community”.

Eoin’s funeral will be held at St Patrick’s Church in Cloonfad on Tuesday.

A technical examination of the crash scene was carried out by Garda forensic collision investigators on Friday.

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses.

The crash resulted in significant disruption to the line between Westport and Athlone.

It was the second disruption on the Westport to Dublin line on Thursday.

Bus transfers were arranged for passengers earlier in the day when a train hit a tractor at a level crossing at the Meelaghans, between Portarlington and Tullamore at about 3.50pm.

A man in his 40s was taken to Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

In a statement on Friday on the fatal collision, Irish Rail said: “Iarnród Éireann expresses our deepest sympathies to the family of the young boy who tragically lost his life at a level crossing in Kiltybo near Ballyhaunis yesterday evening.”

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien described the incident as “awful news”.

“Obviously, my thoughts and deepest sympathies go to that family, the loss of a young 12-year-old boy, it’s an absolute tragedy,” he said.

“A full investigation is taking place right now, both through An Garda Síochána and our rail safety investigators as well.”

He said both the boy’s death, and also the incident involving the tractor will be investigated.

“We have a very good safety record here in Ireland, notwithstanding what has just happened yesterday,” he said.

“Any incident, regardless how serious or how minor, is investigated in great detail.

“We have expert people to do that in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, and that will be done as a matter of priority.

“But it is extremely rare, and to have two incidents on the one line in one day, I can’t recall that before.

“As I said, our thoughts are really with the family and this terrible loss for them.”