Fine Gael Transport Spokesman Fergus O’Dowd TD has accused Iarnród Éireann of a deliberate cover-up over the collapsed Malahide viaduct and of jeopardising the lives of hundreds of passengers.

A leaked report reveals that the company was warned about dangers with the viaduct back in 2006, but that it failed to act. Deputy O’Dowd is seeking to have Iarnród Éireann executives hauled back into the Oireachtas Transport Committee to face further questioning.

“Iarnród Éireann is guilty of a serious cover-up. The company told the Oireachtas Transport Committee that the viaduct had been given a clean bill of health in 2006. This was not true,” Deputy O’Dowd said.

The company’s CEO Richard Fearn told the Transport Committee that a 2006 survey had not revealed any erosion, known as scour. He said at the time: ‘That survey showed no evidence of scour and gave a clean bill of health for the following six years’.

Deputy O’Dowd added: ‘How are we supposed to have faith in the rest of the rail network, when Iarnród Éireann’s excuse for this fiasco is that key staff members had retired?’

“A culture of secrecy and complacency has flourished in Iarnród Éireann for far too long. Major safety concerns are being swept under the carpet. Questionable activities are beginning to emerge from within the company. That is why I am seeking to have the CEO and key company representatives back before the Oireachtas Transport Committee to start giving some answers.”