Irish Rail warned once again over work at bridge in Limerick village

IRISH RAIL has been warned by council for a second time over its works at a historic bridge in Adare.

As revealed by the Limerick Leader, the semi-State company first attracted the local authority’s attention when it removed the access across the River Maigue last September.

This was done in order to repair the crossing and as a step towards reopening the Limerick to Foynes rail line to freight, and potentially passengers in time for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor.

However, it had not received planning permission to do this, sparking the warning letter from the council.

Since the bridge is a protected structure dating back to 1856, council’s contention is any work on it must have approval.

Now, with the rail firm having continued work around this area, a second warning letter has been issued by the authority.

The communication, seen by this newspaper, confirmed the council had sent the warning out after it had been alerted to work taking place around the area of the bridge, which had been removed.

This was sent, the letter said, “for the widening of an access/entrance, the construction of a metal fence, the installation of a large hardcore area, the installation/construction of a container-type structure and the carrying out of works on a protected structure.”

The bridge itself has been out of use since 2001 when freight services along the Limerick to Foynes line ceased.

Irish Rail has previously said its “default position” is the bridge will be reinstated in April.

Irish Rail did seek planning permission to raise the height of the crossing over the River Maigue in order to protect it from flooding.

Although it received approval from local planners, two appeals were lodged to An Bord Pleanala.

A date of next month has been set to decide on this case.

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Separately, Irish Rail has also asked the planning appeals body to decide whether its works at the railway bridge comprise a “material change of character to a protected structure.”

In effect, An Bord Pleanala is deciding whether Irish Rail actually needed planning permission to remove the bridge.

A decision is due by April 24 next.

Irish Rail said it had not received the latest warning letter.

“If and when we do receive it, we are happy to review. We have ongoing engagement with council on this project,” a spokesperson said.

Council declined to comment.