A horrific railway accident unfolded last night at Castle Connell Railway Station on the Great Southern and Western Railway in County Limerick. A special goods train traveling from Roscrea approached the level crossing adjacent to the station, resulting in a devastating crash with devastating consequences.

The catastrophe transpired as two men, identified as Michael Ryan, a porter, and J. Lynch, were attempting to open the gates at the level crossing. Unfortunately, they were unable to complete the task in time, leading the train to hurtle through the gates. Tragically, Michael Ryan lost his life in the accident, while J. Lynch sustained severe injuries.

The harrowing incident has left the Castle Connell community in shock and mourning, as they grapple with the loss of one of their own and pray for the recovery of another. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of railway safety measures and the potential dire consequences of even the slightest delays in operations.

As the authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, there will undoubtedly be questions about whether sufficient safety protocols were in place at the Castle Connell Railway Station and whether this tragedy could have been prevented. The community hopes that whatever the outcome, lessons can be learned to ensure a similar event never occurs again in the future.

Dundee Evening Post – Saturday 29 November 1902