‘Wonderful’ boy, 12, killed when train hit car pictured as family ‘heartbroken’ & ‘devastating incident’ details emerge

THE 12-year-old boy who died after a train collided with his dad’s car was returning home from GAA training. And we understand his pal had been dropped off at his home minutes before the tragic accident at an unmanned level crossing in Kiltybo, near Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, at 8.45pm on Thursday night. The local community has been left reeling following the tragic death of Eoin Doyle The scene of the crash in Kiltybo, Co Mayo Credit: RollingNews.ie Paris priest Fr Stephen Farragher said there was an ‘air of shock and sadness’ in the area Credit: RTE News The tragic accident happened at 8.45pm on Thursday night The schoolboy, named locally as Eoin Doyle, was pronounced dead at the scene after the collision with the Westport-bound train travelling from Dublin. His dad, Declan, a local GAA coach and aged in his 40s, is being treated at Castlebar Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The pair had only recently celebrated Mayo’s historic All-Ireland victory when they met with captain Jack Coyne at a special event at Ballyhaunis GAA club. No-one on the train suffered any injuries. The location of the crash remained sealed off yesterday as forensic investigators tried to uncover the cause of the collision. As part of their investigation, they will interview the train’s driver over the coming days. Ballyhaunis GAA club paid tribute to the “wonderful young boy”. They said in a statement on social media: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our young club member, Eoin Doyle. Most read in The Sun “Eoin was a much loved member of our underage teams, a talented young footballer and, above all, a wonderful young boy who was a great friend and teammate to so many within our club. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Eoin’s parents, Declan and Elaine, his twin sister Saoirse, his step-brother Conor, his grandparents Pat and Marguerite Doyle and Ger and Mary Corcoran, his uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives and friends, and all those who knew and loved him. “We are also thinking especially of Eoin’s teammates, coaches and friends within the club at this incredibly difficult time. “Eoin will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by everyone at Ballyhaunis GAA. “A Book of Condolence for Eoin will open in the clubhouse from 12pm tomorrow, Saturday. “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.” Young Eoin will repose at Donnellan’s Funeral Home, Clare St, Ballyhaunis on Monday evening from 5pm to 7pm before his funeral service the following day at noon in St Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad. He will then be laid to rest in Ballyhaunis Cemetery. His online death notice states that his parents and family are “heartbroken” following the tragic accident. Local Aontu TD Paul Lawless expressed his condolences to the child’s family. Mr Lawless said: “I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of the young boy who has lost his life in this devastating incident. “He was a very valued member of the local community and a very talented football player. “This is a devastating situation for the family, the school, the local community and the local GAA club. Local Aontu TD Paul Lawless expressed his condolences to the child’s family Minister Darragh O’Brien described the boy’s death as an ‘absolute tragedy’ Credit: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire “This incident has really shocked the community and the community is in mourning. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. “The boy and his family had recently met with Mayo captain Jack Coyne and their club and it’s awful to think this tragedy happened just days later.” The deputy added: “I would also like to send my best wishes to the boy’s father in hospital and I hope he makes a full recovery. “Details are still emerging about the tragedy and it’s awful to think that there have been two collisions on the same line in one day. “Investigations around the collisions are ongoing but there should also be a review of what improvements can be made to enhance safety for local people and for motorists not familiar with the locality when it comes to unmanned crossings.” Local parish priest Fr Stephen Farragher told RTE’s News at One: “It’s the kind of thing you hope you won’t be hearing on the news and you hope it won’t be visited on your own community. He added that there is a “real air of shock and sadness” in Ballyhaunis following the collision. The collision was the second disruption on the Westport to Dublin line on Thursday. Before the incident in Ballyhaunis, passengers travelling in both directions were delayed when a train travelling eastbound struck a tractor at a level crossing between Portarlington and Tullamore. On that occasion, one passenger suffered minor injuries and was treated in hospital. The passengers who were transferred on to the train at Athlone were then involved in the second incident at Ballyhaunis. Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, described the boy’s death as an “absolute tragedy”. The TD said: “At this stage it is very early in the process of the investigation. “I would like to extend my condolences to the family involved.” Minister of State for Road Transport Sean Canney described the incident as “horrific”, adding: “The Department’s thoughts and prayers are also with the driver of the train and their family. “Safety reports are being carried out and two incidents on the one line in one evening was frightening. “Hopefully we will see what has caused these accidents to see if there is anything we can do to prevent them in the future.” As the investigations continue, Gardai have also urged anyone who may have witnessed the fatal collision to come forward. A spokesperson said: “Gardai are appealing for information following a fatal traffic collision that occurred in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, on Thursday. “Road users and pedestrians with camera footage including dash cam who were in the area of Kiltybo, Ballyhaunis, on Thursday between 8.15pm and 9.15pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. “Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballina Garda station on 096 20560.”