12-year-old Eoin Doyle killed in level crossing collision in Kiltybo, Co Mayo
A 12-year-old boy, Eoin Doyle, was killed when a train struck the car he was a passenger in at a level crossing in Kiltybo, near Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, shortly after 8.45pm on Thursday 3 September 2026. The car's driver, his father Declan, a man in his late 40s, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators are to conduct a technical examination of the scene, the local coroner has been notified, and Gardaí are appealing for dash-cam footage from the area. Eoin Doyle's funeral was held at St. Patrick's Church, Cloonfad, on 8 September, and he was buried in Ballyhaunis Cemetery.
- Reported4 Sep
3 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A train collided with a car at a level crossing in Kiltybo, near Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, killing 12-year-old boy Eoin Doyle who was a passenger in the car.
- The car's driver, Eoin's father Declan, a man in his late 40s, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
- Eoin Doyle was travelling home from Gaelic football training when the collision occurred.
- Where
- The level crossing is rural, not automated, and consists of traffic lights with gates that users open and shut.
- When
- The collision occurred shortly after 8.45pm on Thursday 3 September 2026.
- Investigation
- Garda Forensic Collision Investigators are to conduct a technical examination of the scene, the local coroner has been notified, and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.
- Gardaí are appealing for dash-cam footage from the area between 8.15pm and 9.15pm on 3 September 2026.
- Other details
- The road remains closed following the collision and all passengers on the train safely disembarked with alternative transport provided.
- Aontú deputy and Mayo TD Paul Lawless called for a full review of safety at small rural level crossings.
- Eoin Doyle's funeral mass was held at St. Patrick's Church, Cloonfad, on 8 September, and he was buried in Ballyhaunis Cemetery.
29 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA collision between a train and a car occurred at a level crossing in Kiltybo, near Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe 12-year-old boy was a passenger in the car and was pronounced deceased at the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe driver of the car was a male in his late 40s (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe driver was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe boy had recently seen the Sam Maguire when Mayo captain Jack Coyne brought it to Ballyhaunis GAA club (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe driver, a male in his late 40s, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries (irishmirror.ie)
- whatEoin Doyle was a 12-year-old boy killed in the collision (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe car Eoin was in was hit by a train (irishmirror.ie)
- whatEoin was travelling home from Gaelic football training when the collision occurred (irishmirror.ie)
- whatEoin had dreams of playing for Manchester United (irishmirror.ie)
- whatEoin played soccer for Cloonfad United (irishmirror.ie)
- whatEoin played with the Roscommon Academy (irishmirror.ie)
- whatEoin had a twin sister named Saoirse (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe level crossing is rural, not automated, and consists of traffic lights with gates users open and shut (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe collision occurred at a level crossing in Kiltybo, near Ballyhaunis, Mayo (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe funeral mass was held at St. Patrick's Church, Cloonfad (irishmirror.ie)
- whereEoin was buried in Ballyhaunis Cemetery (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe collision occurred shortly after 8.45pm on Thursday 3 September 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenGardaí and emergency services were rushed to the scene shortly after 8.45pm on Thursday night (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe collision occurred on Thursday 3 September 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA technical examination of the scene is to be conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe local coroner has been notified (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for dash-cam footage from the area between 8.15pm and 9.15pm on 3 September 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe road remains closed following the collision (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe deceased was removed to the mortuary at Mayo University Hospital (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAll passengers on the train safely disembarked and alternative transport was provided (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAontú deputy and Mayo TD Paul Lawless called for a review of safety at small rural crossings (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPaul Lawless said there will have to be a full review of safeguards and an investigation to establish what happened (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Sep2026Boy killed in Mayo tragedy had dreams of playing for Man U, funeral mass hears
Funeral coverage providing details of Eoin Doyle's life, his love of soccer and Manchester United, tributes from his mother Elaine, and confirmation of his burial in Ballyhaunis Cemetery.
victim, Eoin Doyle, 12, male, irish (judged from name)Eoin Doylevictim, Declan, male, irish (judged from name)Declan - 4 Sep2026Young boy killed in Mayo train tragedy recently had 'joy of seeing Sam Maguire'
Adds community reaction from Aontú TD Paul Lawless, details that the boy had recently seen the Sam Maguire at Ballyhaunis GAA club, and calls for a safety review of rural level crossings.
victim, 12, malevictim, late 40s, male - 4 Sep2026Boy, 12, killed in horror collision involving train and car as Gardai close road
Confirms the boy was a passenger in the car, the driver was a man in his late 40s taken to hospital, the road remains closed, a technical examination is planned, the deceased was taken to Mayo University Hospital mortuary, and Gardaí are appealing for dash-cam footage from 8.15pm to 9.15pm.
victim, 12, malevictim, late 40s, male