Community heartbroken after crash claimed life of Eoin Doyle

Mayo plunged into grief over death of Eoin Doyle (12) after father’s car struck by train at rail crossing

The tragic death in a train crash of Eoin Doyle, a “beautiful and deeply loved” young boy, has plunged his close-knit Mayo community into grief.

Eoin (12) spent the final hours of his life doing what he loved most: playing football with his friends at Ballyhaunis GAA club.

On the way home from training with his father and coach, Declan, their car collided with a train at a level crossing. In a split second, everything changed.

Alongside his father Declan, mother Elaine, and twin sister Saoirse, Eoin had shared in the joy that swept Mayo after their historic All-Ireland victory.

Just last Sunday, the family of four posed proudly with the Sam Maguire Cup, alongside Mayo captain and Ballyhaunis clubman Jack Coyne.

It was a moment of pure happiness. Days later, everything changed. The joy that swept through Ballyhaunis when Sam Maguire visited the club last weekend has been replaced by unimaginable sorrow.

Club chairman William Nestor broke down in tears as he tried to explain the grief.

“We would do anything to make this not have happened,” he said. “We would hand Sam Maguire back to make this not be true.

“We are just broken by this. You couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful lad. Declan adored him. They did everything together. They were joined at the hip.

“Declan is the most loyal clubman and GAA person you could ever meet. It’s not an exaggeration to say he’s one of the most likeable people you could meet. He doesn’t get angry. I’ve never seen him cross. He always seemed to carry life lightly.

“He loved coaching Eoin. Declan’s dream was always to play for Mayo and, like any father, he hoped Eoin might one day follow in those footsteps.”

“Eoin was an exceptional footballer. He had everything going for him. The future was there waiting for him. All that joy is wiped out,” he said, adding the club would do everything they can to help the family.

Emergency services rushed to the incident, which took place at a level crossing in Kiltybo near Ballyhaunis, about 8.45pm on Thursday. The train involved was the Westport service from Dublin.

Eoin was pronounced dead at the scene and his father Declan was hospitalised with non life-threatening injuries.

Fr Stephen Farragher was preparing for bed when he received a call from gardaí. He immediately knew it was serious.

Later, he stood in the rain with Eoin’s mother and prayed for both Eoin and the train driver.

“With all the changes we have witnessed in rural Ireland, one thing hasn’t changed: the way people rally around a bereaved family at a time like this,” he said.

“Families are literally carried along in a tide of community support. I’ve seen people coming into the church to light candles, and there were extra people at mass this morning.

“Even people with little faith, or no faith at all, were there because when a tragedy like this happens in a community, people feel helpless. They often gravitate towards the church to light a candle or say a prayer.

“I think that’s healthy. People talk to one another too. We often talk about community, but it is at times like these that you really see community in action.

“The GAA, in particular, will be central to that support. Just a week ago, this little boy was standing with his family being photographed with the Sam Maguire and Jack Coyne.

“His father is deeply involved in Ballyhaunis GAA. He is a man of enormous generosity and community spirit. And they were coming home from underage training.

We are also thinking especially of Eoin’s teammates, coaches, and friends within the club at this incredibly difficult time

“It’s the kind of thing you hope you’ll never hear on the news, and you pray it will never be visited upon your own community.”

In a statement, Ballyhaunis GAA said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our young club member, Eoin Doyle.

“Eoin was a much-loved member of our underage teams, a talented young footballer and, above all, a wonderful young boy who was a great friend and teammate to so many within our club.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Eoin’s parents, Declan and Elaine, his twin sister Saoirse, his stepbrother Conor, his grandparents Pat and Marguerite Doyle and Ger and Mary Corcoran, his uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives and friends, and all those who knew and loved him.

“We are also thinking especially of Eoin’s teammates, coaches, and friends within the club at this incredibly difficult time.

“Eoin will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by everyone at Ballyhaunis GAA.”

A funeral mass for Eoin will take place at St Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad, on Tuesday at noon, followed by burial in Ballyhaunis Cemetery.

Iarnród Éireann released a statement on Friday morning, saying; “Iarnród Éireann expresses our deepest sympathies to the family of the young boy who tragically lost his life at a level crossing in Kiltybo near Ballyhaunis yesterday evening.

“The 18.15 Heuston-to-Westport service struck a car in which the boy was travelling at XM160 level crossing at Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, shortly before 21.00 hours. An adult male, also in the car at the time, is in hospital. His injuries are not life-threatening.”

It added that it “immediately commenced a full investigation into the incident and has advised the relevant authorities”.

It was the second railway crossing incident to happen on Thursday, after a man was hospitalised following a collision on the Irish Rail line in Tullamore earlier in the afternoon.