Petition over Athenry train service given to Transport minister

A PETITION signed by more than 1,600 people in Athenry has been presented to the Minister for Transport in the Dáil.

Additionally addressed to Minister Sean Canney, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann, the petition is calling for the continuation of the 6.50am train service from Athenry to Galway beyond August and implementation of the long-promised bus service between Athenry and Galway.

The early morning train service was introduced in Athenry in October last year to facilitate the ongoing works on the Galway-Athenry line.

It was to operate on a temporary basis until August 2026, with NTA monitoring passenger demand and operational performance with the aim of making a decision on its continuation beyond that point.

Athenry has also been without any bus connection to Galway City since the loss of the privately-operated bus service in September 2024.

The petition signed by 1,665 people was launched by Sinn Fein TD Louis O’Hara two months ago after Iarnród Éireann and the NTA said they wouldn't be able to continue the service.

“People in Athenry are sick and tired of our transport needs being neglected,” stated TD O’Hara, while addressing Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien in the Dáil.

He told the Minister that trains in Athenry are overflowing and there is no bus service in the area, despite repeated promises for the last two years.

“To make matters worse we are now told we are going to lose the 6.50am train at the end of July due to lack of funding.

“It’s not good enough and it’s not going to be accepted by people in Athenry,” he added.

Deputy O’Hara said that the NTA has requested funding for these services from the Department of Transport and that the Minister needs to provide it.

“You need to provide the funding to save the 6.50am train service and you need to get the bus service up and running,” he continued.