LAST UPDATE | 10 mins ago

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

Gardaí said the incident happened at around 3.50pm today, and a man has been conveyed to hospital for treatment of injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.

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 “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 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 are at 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, as they had not been near a level crossing.

Emergency services are also in the process of trying to get the train moving again. 

Irish Rail said on social media that services are currently 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 have been delayed as a result.

Bus Transfers en route ETA 30mins

Services are suspended between Portarlington and Tullamore.

A train has struck a tractor

Crew and Emergency services are en route

13:10 Westport to Heuston
14:48 Heuston to Westport held at Geashill

Update to follow. -AD https://t.co/L5BQqqkijW

— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) September 3, 2026

Gardaí said that emergency services are currently at the scene.