Irish Rail says vehicle has struck bridge in Laois

Irish Rail has suspended services between Portarlington and Portlaoise after a bridge was struck by a vehicle.

“Services have been suspended between Portlaoise and Portarlington following a report a vehicle struck a bridge in the area. 08:20 Heuston to Portlaoise is stopped near Portlaoise. We have a crew en route to complete an inspection.

Update to follow,” Irish Rail posted on X this morning. 

Bridge strikes are a relatively common occurrence in Portlaoise where Irish Rail had planned to install a new anti collision system on the Mountmellick and Mountrath Road bridges.