Fatal accident averted after person pushed onto train track

The 'appalling' attack took place around 8pm yesterday.

The 'appalling' attack took place around 8pm yesterday, Sunday October 4, at Harmonstown DART stop.

The victim was forced into the large bin by a group before they pushed it onto the tracks. They were injured in the fall onto the tracks, but managed to move clear before the DART driver spotted the bin and stopped the train.

Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager at Iarnród Éireann, commented on the incident: "This was an appalling attack which had the potential to be much worse.

"While the victim was able to immediately get off the track and back onto the platform, the driver of a Northbound DART saw the bin which was still on the tracks as the train approached and brought the DART to a halt in time.

"However, had the individual been incapacitated by the fall, an express service such as an Enterprise or Commuter service would have taken a much longer time to stop, with the obvious potential for serious or fatal injury."

Kenny continued: "Ambulance services, Gardaí and our own security and infrastructure staff attended, and services were delayed for 18 minutes. We have retained CCTV to assist Gardaí with their investigation, and ask anyone with further information to contact the Gardai."