LATEST: Irish Rail responds to public anger following erection of mast in Tipperary

Irish Rail has issued a response following the erection of a mast within close proximity of a housing estate in Cahir.

The mast sparked public uproar in the locality, with local representatives expressing their concern.

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In a statement, Irish Rail said: "Iarnród Eireann’s previous Train Radio system dates from the early 1980s and is in the process of being upgraded networkwide. This system provides for vital safety-critical communications between train drivers and signalpersons located at our Central Traffic Control (CTC) Centre at Connolly Station.

"Continuous secure radio communications with train drivers is a prerequisite for CTC and essential for the safety and efficiency of rail operations. The provision of Train Radio is mandated by the Commission for Rail Regulation.

"Iarnród Éireann is currently upgrading this Train Radio system on several routes nationwide to a modern digital radio system, known as GSM-R, in line with EU Railway Technical Directives. This system is widely adopted by Rail Administrations throughout Europe.

"In order to provide the required 100% radio coverage, a radio mast is required at Cahir and other sites throughout the Iarnród Éireann network. This is an engineering requirement to ensure continuous radio operation over the railway route. The Train Radio system provides for enhanced safety and efficiency of train operations.

"This is an exempted development under Class 23 of Schedule 2 Part 1 of the 2001 Planning and Development Regulations."

Cllr Máirín McGrath shared her discontent with the erection of the mast on social media.

Cllr McGrath said she was notified of the erection of the mast on Thursday November 13.

The councillor contacted the relevant bodies within the Tipperary County Council to assess the site where the mast has been put up.

The council carried out an inspection of the site and concluded that the mast was in excess of the current 12 meter exemption for masts.

In a statement, she said: "I was made aware of the erection of a large mast on Irish Rail lands behind the Birchdale Housing estate in Cahir town. Residents in the estate were shocked to see the tower being erected so close to their homes without any knowledge of a planning application or advance notice of its erection.

"I then engaged with planning officials in Tipperary County Council and asked them to visit the site and determine the planning status around this development as a matter of urgency.

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"I am aware that there is an exemption under Planning Law for the erection of telecommunications poles up to a certain height and while we can accept the need for some infrastructural advances, it is not fair that the planning process can be totally circumvented here, much to the shock and dismay of local residents when they looked out their window this morning.

"There must be a duty of care and also respect for residential amenity and visual impact, and if such masts are to be erected, they should be done in a manner that is not so close to residential properties, where it has such an overbearing impact on homes and gardens.”

Speaking after the inspection took place, Cllr McGrath said that the findings showed that the mast was well above the height limit of 12 meters under the planning laws for telecommunications poles that can be considered for exemptions.

“The mast was inspected and it is around 19-20 meters high, well above the 12 meters allowed in this case. Given that Cahir is an Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA), it’s surprising that this was erected in the first place without planning permissions. There will likely be enforcement proceedings to follow,” concluded Cllr McGrath.