LAST UPDATE | 3 Sep

A TRAIN HAS collided with a tractor at the Meelaghans in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

The incident happened at around 3.50pm today, and the tractor driver was sent to hospital for treatment of injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.

Irish Rail said that the incident happened at a “user worked level crossing” used by the farmer to access the lands either side of the track.

Richard Roche, a professor at Maynooth University, was a passenger on the 13.10 train from Westport to Heuston, and told The Journal about the crash.

He said the train had just left Tullamore when there was a “loud bang” and a “fairly violent jolt” as the train hit the tractor.

The train was “busy enough”, and a “few people had a bit of a shock” when the collision happened.

There were a few older passengers who were “shaken” and “discombobulated”, but no one on the train had been hurt, he said.

Roche also said he saw something fly past the window – a large cylindrical object – which he suspected landed in a field nearby. He was not sure what the object was, but said it could have been something that the tractor was towing.

Roche said that a number of emergency personnel attended the scene, checking people on the train, and noting down which people have onward connections to catch.

Roche said that he had “no idea” how a tractor could have got on the train tracks.

He said that emergency services were also in the process of trying to get the train moving again. 

A statement from Irish Rail said: “Services between Heuston and Galway and Mayo are suspended until further notice.

“We expect this to be the case for another couple of hours at least.”

Irish Rail said on social media that services are suspended between the two towns, with bus transfers being organised. 

The 13.10 service from Westport to Heuston, and the 14.48 from Heuston to Westport were delayed as a result.

The 13.10 train will be moved to Tullamore, allowing passengers to disembark. 

13.10 Westport/Heuston, which was involved in the incident, will be moved to Tullamore, where passengers will disembark.

Services remain suspended between Portarlington & Tullamore until further notice.

Bus transfers are being arranged between Tullamore and Portarlington. -AD https://t.co/VxPR74k68E

— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) September 3, 2026