Cork-Dublin train halted for hours after hitting herd of deer

They’re all over the roads at the moment

A red deer by a railway line (stock)(Image: Getty)

A train travelling from Cork to Dublin on Saturday evening was forced to stop after being damaged when it struck several deer on the tracks.

The 6:45pm service from Cork to Dublin Heuston was between Limerick Junction and Thurles when it encountered the animals – which are more active during autumn due to rutting season. The train was damaged by the strike, and could not proceed – meaning passengers had to wait for hours until the next train came alongside after 9pm.

A spokesperson for Irish Rail told CorkBeo: “We apologise to customers for the significant delay experienced as a result.”

It’s just the latest accident involving deer in Munster, with motorists having hit animals outside Kinsale and in north Cork in recent weeks, causing significant damage to vehicles.

The advice for motorists if you hit a deer is to stop immediately, pull the car over to a safe spot and – when it is safe to do so – get out and carefully examine the damage. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland advised: “A deer collision can range from minor bumper damage to serious vehicle damage, windscreen damage, coolant leaks, airbag deployment or a vehicle that cannot be driven safely.

“The first priority is safety. Stop only when safe, avoid standing in live traffic, turn on hazard lights and check whether anyone is injured. If the deer is injured, do not approach it or try to move it.

“After the immediate safety checks, assess whether the car can be driven. Damage to lights, steering, tyres, windscreen, radiator, bonnet, bumper or cooling system may mean roadside assistance or recovery is needed.”

One particularly busy crossing spot at present appears to be on Grotto Hill between Ballinspittle and Kinsale. One river got several shots as a stag and a doe crossed the road here and posted them to the popular Kinsale Notice Board Facebook page to put others on alert.

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