Irish Rail warned over its removal of ‘protected’ Limerick bridge

LIMERICK City and County Council has issued a warning letter to Irish Rail after it was judged to have removed a historic bridge in Limerick without planning permission.

The semi-state rail provider removed the bridge over the River Maigue in Adare in September.

It was done in order to repair the crossing and comes in a step towards re-opening the Limerick to Foynes rail line to freight, and potentially passengers in time for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor.

However, the Leader has learned that Irish Rail has been sent a formal warning pointing out there was no planning permission in place to allow for the removal of the bridge.

Since it’s a protected structure, it would have required this.

The bridge itself was built in 1856 and has been out of use since the end of freight services along the Limerick-Foynes line in 2001.

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As a result of this, the local authority said the works to remove the section by the River Maigue were “unauthorised”.

Irish Rail did seek planning permission to increase the height of a crossing over the River Maigue to protect against flooding once it returns at a date expected in early 2024.

Although it received approval from local planners, an appeal was lodged against this to An Bord Pleanála - including one on behalf of a group which is based in west Cork.

When contacted by the Limerick Leader, a spokesperson for Irish Rail said it had not received the communication at the time of going to press.

Limerick City and County Council has been contacted for comment.

It’s understood once it receives the letter, Irish Rail has four weeks to formally respond.