Tara Mines unions in call for re-opening of rail link between Navan and Drogheda

Redevelopment work at Dublin Port has seen the closure of the railway line between Navan and Drogheda, which has been used to transport ore from Tara Mines to Dublin port for decades.

Tara Mines is currently transporting ore by road, as work takes place on new developments at Dublin Port.

Unions at Tara Mines have indicated they want to see the resumption of the ore by train as soon as possible.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan called on the government to free up whatever funds were necessary to ensure the work was completed as quickly as possible so that the Navan to Drogheda line be used again.

"It is in the interest of the green agenda that the ore from Tara is transported by rail," he said.

A spokesperson for Tara Mines said: "Following a tender process, we have issued a contract for a period of road transport, to take account of the fact that the rail network will be out of service for a period of time due to redevelopment works at Dublin Port. We will keep the situation under review."

Meanwhile a spokesperson for Irish Rail said negotiations with Tara Mines were ongoing. "Because Dublin Port is currently inaccessible by rail, no decision on the future of transport logistics will be made until the construction is complete at Dublin Port and it is once again accessible by rail. "