Fresh demand for late train service to Mayo

A CASTLEBAR councillor has called on Irish Rail to provide a regular late evening train from Dublin to Castlebar.

Councillor Cyril Burke said that the last evening train leaves Dublin too early for commuters to make it across the city to catch it on time.

Speaking at a municipal district meeting, he said: “An 8 o’clock train to Mayo would be a huge advantage. There are people who take the car to Dublin simply because they don’t have time to get across Dublin in the evening to get the 6.15 p.m. train.

“Our train network would work better if we had more opportunities to use it.”

He also called for the reestablishment of a train stop at Balla.

“There is very little of a platform at Manulla Junction, so why can’t we do similar at Balla?”

Councillor Martin McLoughlin supported Councillor Burke in relation to both matters.

“There is great potential for a late train in this county. I would support reopening the station at Balla. In future, we could also look into both Islandeady and Ballyvary being made into on-demand stops.”