Rail commuters are facing major disruption today following the partial collapse of a 200 foot crane at a building site close to train tracks at Ringsend, Dublin.
DART users will be worst affected but those travelling from Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wicklow and Wexford are also facing major day-long disruption.
Some 70 residents were evacuated from their homes in the Barrow Street area following fears the crane would topple and crush their houses. They had not been permitted to return to their homes last night and stayed at the nearby Mespil Hotel.
One local resident, Mr Gay Nolan from Emerald Cottages, said he was alerted to the crane's collapse by a neighbour.
"We heard a snapping sound followed by a large crash and then one of the neighbours came in and told us what had happened. The whole place was evacuated".
A major section of the crane snapped off at a Dallinger Ltd construction site at the old Gasworks site, at 11 a.m. Three larger support cranes were moved into the area yesterday, with one travelling from Monaghan. It was hoped the crane would be dismantled in time to allow normal train services this morning, but strong gale force winds, gusting up to 60 m.p.h., and fading light forced the abandonment of that plan.
Following a safety assessment by Iarnród Éireann engineers it was decided train services passing through Grand Canal Dock station would be suspended until the crane was dismantled. Southbound services are not currently running at weekends due to track upgrading work so there was no disruption to services yesterday.
Health and safety officials have begun an investigation into the incident. Gardaí and Dublin fire brigade remained at the scene.
The rail line between Pearse Street and Lansdowne stations will be out of use all day today. A curtailed service will operate between Lansdowne Road and Bray/Greystones. Northside services will operate between Howth and Malahide and Connolly or Pearse Stations, but will be subject to delays.
Northern and Maynooth line commuter services will operate to and from Connolly or Pearse stations, but delays are expected. Commuter services on these routes will not operate south of Pearse Station. Rosslare InterCity and Gorey Commuter Services will be part or fully substituted by bus.
