Rail fences to be sealed to stop vandals accessing Limerick park

IRISH Rail staff are to seal a section of fencing to stop part of its track being used as a rat run into a southside park in Limerick city. 

Troublemakers have targetted the Boro Field park, which opened in Janesboro in 2021, when it closes at night-time.

Local councillor Sarah Kiely says they dump rubbish, start fires, and do damage to trees in the public park.

They’ve been using a section in the fencing on the Limerick to Foynes rail line to access the park from the Prospect side, after hours.

Now, the semi-state travel firm has given a commitment it will introduce “higher and more robust fencing” at Boro Fields, and carry out a clean-up of litter on the site.

Workers began on site late last week, and are expected to spend the next two months putting in place new fencing where there are breaches.

Two friends ‘make waves’ for cancer support funds

Councillor Kiely has hailed the news as “a great result for residents and users of our beautiful park.”

She thanked Irish Rail for acting, and in particular praised its chief executive Jim Meade, a former railway worker based in Limerick.

“In fairness to them, they’ve stepped up, and it's very positive. I think it's down to Jim Meade knowing his business. You don't always get CEOs who are in touch with the issues at ground level. He knows as he's worked on the railways all his life,” she said.

The line running alongside the Boro Field once linked Limerick and Foynes, but has been out of use since 2001 when freight services ceased.

However, it’s now expected to be re-opened to freight – and possibly passenger services later on – and a €65m contract is in place to remove vegetation along the line, and upgrade the tracks to Irish Rail standards.

On top of this, the transport provider is renewing lineside fencing, improving road infrastructure and installing new rail and concrete sleepers along the route.