Louth senator calls for the reopening of Dunleer railway station to be explored

The possibility of reopening Dunleer train station should be explored and debate is needed according to Louth senator John McGahon.  

Speaking yesterday in the Seanad, Senator McGahon said encouraging people to use public transport was a key climate action measure:

“We saw this morning that the Limerick to Foynes railway line is to be reopened. That process has started. 

“I know the Deputy Leader is an avid rail user in order to get from Mayo to here. We need to come to a situation where we are encouraging public transport as much as possible. 

“It is about having a dedicated strategy, aside from the rail strategy and rail review that is taking place, to look at reopening our disused and older railway lines, especially in rural areas. It is rural areas where we have to do the most to empower people and allow them to avail of public transport and climate action measures. 

“I will mention as an example Dunleer railway station in the county I live in, Louth. Dunleer is probably one of the biggest towns, aside from Ardee, in the mid-Louth area. It does not just cater for County Louth but also for people coming from County Meath and south Monaghan. It has a very big catchment area and it is difficult for anyone in that region to have to go to either Drogheda or Dundalk to get a train.”

The senator called for a dedicated government strategy to be devised with the goal of deciding which provincial and rural  railway stations it would be beneficial to reopen.

“If we are to take this approach, it cannot just be in large towns or cities. It has to benefit all of Irish society, including rural Ireland. I would really appreciate a debate on the reopening of old, rural train stations as part of a specific strategy alongside the rail strategy. I would appreciate that debate at some stage in the future,” he concluded.