Tractor ploughing through level crossing in Kildare causes major delays for commuters

Source: Irish Rail/Twitter

THERE WAS MAJOR disruption on the Maynooth/Sligo rail line this evening, after a tractor destroyed a level crossing in Kildare.

Significant damage was done to the barriers in Barberstown, when the tractor crashed through just before 5pm this evening.

A spokesperson from Irish Rail told TheJournal.ie: “The gates were lowering, there would have been orange lights and then red lights flashing, but this driver simply ploughed on.”

The incident caused delays of at least an hour in both directions at the height of rush hour, with services resuming on the line after 6pm.

There were also delays to the Maynooth/M3 Parkway services, with Dublin Bus honouring rail tickets.

A team from Irish Rail was dispatched to the scene to determine the extent and cost of the damage.

The spokesperson added: “Thankfully our teams were able to get out there and remove the debris from the track.

We have contacted gardai. We would ask that anybody who damages a level crossing be prosecuted.

The spokesperson said that the cost of the damage could run into the “tens of thousands” of euro.

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