Delays after train hits herd of cows near Tullamore

Irish Rail has said it expects "significant" delays to its train services to and from Galway and Westport for the remainder of this evening (Thursday) after a train struck cows on the line near Tullamore. 

The company gave details of the accident on Twitter this afternoon, saying the 3.35pm service from Dublin Heuston to Galway had hit "a number of cows" on the train line near Tullamore. 

It said "significant delays" to Galway and Westport services were likely to continue for the remainder of the evening. 

As of 5.42pm, the train involved in the accident remained stopped near Tullamore, leading to major knock-on delays for services in both directions.  

An Irish Rail spokesperson said the cows that had been hit by the train were dead.