One of the country’s leading rail campaigners is set to legally question the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) decision to green-light Iarnród Éireann’s (IE) withdrawal of its Waterford to Rosslare service.
Speaking to The Munster Express, Damien Cassidy of the National Conservation and Heritage Group (NCHG) pledged to maintain his efforts to see the NTA’s ruling overturned.
“Those of us that are involved in the campaign to maintain and support rail services in this country are not going to take this decision lying down, and I’d like to make that clear,” said Mr Cassidy.
Mr Cassidy hand-delivered a letter to the NTA on September 3rd, the fateful day in which the axe was swung on the Waterford-Rosslare line, but he was refused entry to the meeting.
“I believe that their refusal to allow me into their meeting, to voice my opposition to what was always going to be a fait accompli between Irish Rail and the NTA contravenes my right to assembly under the Treaty of Rome,” he added.
“But putting that to one side, I also believe that there’s a legal question worth asking on behalf and I’m currently seeking advice in that regard. I am not content to let matters stand and I believe that the fight to see this service restored is of vital importance not only for the south east, but for the country’s remaining regional services.
“What’s going on within Irish Rail of late, and given Minister (Noel) Dempsey’s thoroughly inept handling of the issue, is reminiscent of the Andrews era, when lines all over the country, including Waterford to Cork and Waterford to Tramore, were shamefully and disgracefully disregarded.”
See The Munster Express newspaper for full story or subscribe to our PDF version.