Gardai believe they have identified the woman and her child who were killed when struck by a train on the Dublin suburban rail line at Donabate yesterday. They are not releasing the names, however, until a positive identification has been made and all relatives have been informed.
The incident happened shortly after 4 p.m. about 300 metres from Donabate station on the Dublin side. The woman, who is believed to have been aged between 37 and 40, and the toddler, a girl aged between 1 1/2 and two, were struck as the 15.37 train from Pearse Station to Dundalk approached the station. The woman is believed to have appeared from the side of the track and to have had the child in her arms.
It is thought the woman may have walked up the stone steps beside Tierney's bridge, a railway bridge over Golf road, about a mile from Donabate village.
The train, carrying about 300 passengers, was travelling at about 40 m.p.h. and was slowing when the collision took place on a straight stretch of track.
Trains in both directions were delayed for about an hour and a half. Buses transported passengers to other stations.
The emergency services rushed to the scene. The bodies were removed to Beaumont Hospital, where preparations were being made for post-mortem examinations.
Sgt Walter Hackett, of Swords Garda station, said the woman had not yet been positively identified. "We are keeping an open mind on the incident. We believe that she was married and living with her husband in Swords," he said.
A 13-year-old schoolboy who was on the train described the incident. "We were coming from Malahide station and had just gone by the estuary when there was a huge noise under the train. We thought it was just stones. Then about a minute later the train stopped. The driver said over the intercom that there had been an unfortunate accident."
Gardai at the scene found a purse, items of personal clothing, and a set of keys. They were last night investigating a car found at the bridge.
Mr Michael Murphy, Iarnrod Eireann suburban rail manager, said the driver was deeply shocked by what had happened and had been brought to hospital, accompanied by his supervisor.
"He is a very experienced driver, a regular driver on this route and looking at the stopping distance he reacted very well," Mr Murphy said.
