The failure of signalling equipment was the likely cause of a train accident in August when the Longford-Dublin early-bird train smashed through a level crossing. No vehicle or pedestrians were on the main road when the accident occurred at Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. A woman passenger sustained cuts when the impact broke train windows.
The former minister for transport, Mr Brennan, has told Fine Gael's spokesman on transport, Mr Denis Naughten: "Preliminary indications are that a fault in the signalling equipment at the location may have been the cause of the incident, but it would be premature to take a definitive view on this until the current Iarnród Éireann inquiry is completed."
The Sigma system used at the crossing is thought to be the oldest signalling equipment in use anywhere in the country. Mr Naughten called for independent inquiries into crashes of this nature.
"Iarnród Éireann investigates these accidents themselves, and there really should be an independent investigation," he said. "It's the same with crashes on the Luas line. In that case, the operator Connex investigates the crashes. I am calling on the new Minister for Transport ... to set up independent investigations."
Before leaving Transport, Mr Brennan said Iarnród Éireann had told him all signalling equipment at Edgeworthstown was working properly.