Long delay after train hits cow on tracks in Offaly

The 1pm Galway to Heuston train service was delayed for over an hour yesterday Sunday, May 12 after it struck a cow outside of Clara.

The collision was reported shortly before 3pm and the train was stopped between Athlone and Clara stations.

A spokesperson at Iarnrod Eireann said the animal was hit at Corracullin, which is between Clonnydonnin and Clara and the train was delayed by 70 mins as a result. There was no other impact on services.

Crews arrived to clear the tracks at 3.10pm and the train got underway.

In other rail news, Iarnrod Eireann say they have plans to introduce later night services from Heuston to Galway. Currently the latest train from Dublin serving Tullamore and Clara is the 19.35 and the 20.30 on Sundays.

Commuters have been calling for these later services for some time. No date has been announced yet for the services to begin.