SENIOR OFFICIALS in the Department of Transport have repeatedly said there are no plans to reopen the railway station in Crusheen but North-East Clare elected representatives remain optimistic the return of stop may come to pass.
Indeed elected representatives in the Killaloe Municipal District believe they have “a compelling case,” senior planner with Clare County Council, Brian McCarthy noted in correspondence issued to Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, Jim Meade.
Elected members of the Killaloe MD are to meet with a delegation from Iarnród Éireann on foot of this.
McCarthy outlined the views of members that the Climate Action Plan 2023 “which seeks significant increases to modal share and sustainable public transport use, the adoption of the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 which continues the long standing Council objective to reopen the railway station at Crusheen and the ongoing preparation of an All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review, it is considered there is a compelling case to be made to reopen the station and the provision of a rail service at Crusheen”.
Passenger numbers and connectivity along the Western Rail Corridor between Galway City and Limerick would be increased were the Crusheen station to reopen, the elected members maintained.
Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe MD, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) told his colleagues that Iarnród Éireann were happy to facilitate a meeting with them. “If he can’t meet us here, we will go and meet him”.
Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) who has been particularly vocal on the subject, said “following on from a lot of publicity around it, people are saying it is a win-win situation, the public very much behind it”.
Hayes felt there was “a real enthusiasm” to reopen the station in Crusheen. He said it was essential to get the reopening of Crusheen on the agenda for the All-Ireland rail review to try obtain funding. “Moyross station is being pushed and we need to push for Crusheen,” he added.
Councillors were advised by McCarthy that Iarnród Éireann have said they are willing to hold a meeting but have said there are no provisions for funding Crusheen at present.
Originally built in the 1860s, Crusheen railway station closed in 1976 for passenger traffic and in the 1990s for freight traffic. Although the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP) speaking in response to Senator Martin Conway (FG) in the Seanad noted that the thinking to reopen former stations like Crusheen is what’s needed, but officials in his own Department are very reluctant to fund the request.
