MOH
17-12-2008, 10:57
From the examiner (http://www.examiner.ie/story/Ireland/idaucwcwcw/rss2/), via boards:
Irish Rail gatekeeper parks car on line
By Dan Collins
HUNDREDS of train passengers were caught up in lengthy delays when an Irish Rail gatekeeper parked her car on the main Cork-Dublin line yesterday in a row over the closure of the level crossing at Kyle, Co Tipperary.
Ann Flavin, who is fighting cancer, has been gatekeeper for 30 years at Kyle level crossing, which is due to be closed with the completion of new road works.
Yesterday afternoon she drove her car onto the line when a contractor attempted to carry out work at her rail-side home, which she will have to vacate.
"At the moment I have nowhere to move to and my severance agreement with Irish Rail has not been finalised," she said.
While her union SIPTU had been negotiating severance terms, Ms Flavin said she had been given an assurance that no work would be carried out on and near her home until all discussions were finalised and agreement with the company was concluded.
There were still outstanding issues to be sorted out, such as the demolition of a shed that the Flavins built adjacent to the gate lodge, "but no talks have been held to finalise anything", she stressed.
The 55-year-old gate-keeper contradicted claims by the company that she owned her own house nearby. Vacating the gate lodge would be a huge upheaval for her and her husband, she said.
"We have nowhere else to go," she said.
Last May, Ann underwent an operation for breast cancer and has been on a programme of chemotherapy since then.
"Last September, when I was in hospital having chemotherapy, the contractor attempted to carry out work at my home despite the fact that the company said this would not be done until everything had been agreed," she said.
Last Thursday, another attempt was made to carry out hedge removal works near the gate lodge, she claimed.
"I told Irish Rail last week, if that ever happened again I would block the line and that’s what I did today."
A spokesperson for Irish Rail said the contractor should not have attempted to carry out any work at Kyle level crossing yesterday. Talks between the company and Mrs Flavin are expected to be held on Friday.
A number of services were affected for 40 minutes before Mrs Flavin removed her car from the line and there had been a consequent "knock-on" effect on schedules, the spokesperson said.
Trains running on the Dublin, Limerick, Waterford and Limerick Junction services were affected.
GardaĂ* were called to the scene yesterday after which a spokesman said a file was being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Irish Rail gatekeeper parks car on line
By Dan Collins
HUNDREDS of train passengers were caught up in lengthy delays when an Irish Rail gatekeeper parked her car on the main Cork-Dublin line yesterday in a row over the closure of the level crossing at Kyle, Co Tipperary.
Ann Flavin, who is fighting cancer, has been gatekeeper for 30 years at Kyle level crossing, which is due to be closed with the completion of new road works.
Yesterday afternoon she drove her car onto the line when a contractor attempted to carry out work at her rail-side home, which she will have to vacate.
"At the moment I have nowhere to move to and my severance agreement with Irish Rail has not been finalised," she said.
While her union SIPTU had been negotiating severance terms, Ms Flavin said she had been given an assurance that no work would be carried out on and near her home until all discussions were finalised and agreement with the company was concluded.
There were still outstanding issues to be sorted out, such as the demolition of a shed that the Flavins built adjacent to the gate lodge, "but no talks have been held to finalise anything", she stressed.
The 55-year-old gate-keeper contradicted claims by the company that she owned her own house nearby. Vacating the gate lodge would be a huge upheaval for her and her husband, she said.
"We have nowhere else to go," she said.
Last May, Ann underwent an operation for breast cancer and has been on a programme of chemotherapy since then.
"Last September, when I was in hospital having chemotherapy, the contractor attempted to carry out work at my home despite the fact that the company said this would not be done until everything had been agreed," she said.
Last Thursday, another attempt was made to carry out hedge removal works near the gate lodge, she claimed.
"I told Irish Rail last week, if that ever happened again I would block the line and that’s what I did today."
A spokesperson for Irish Rail said the contractor should not have attempted to carry out any work at Kyle level crossing yesterday. Talks between the company and Mrs Flavin are expected to be held on Friday.
A number of services were affected for 40 minutes before Mrs Flavin removed her car from the line and there had been a consequent "knock-on" effect on schedules, the spokesperson said.
Trains running on the Dublin, Limerick, Waterford and Limerick Junction services were affected.
GardaĂ* were called to the scene yesterday after which a spokesman said a file was being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.