MONASTEREVIN, 5 November: by Stephen O’Rourke. Monasterevin Railway Station was officially opened on Friday by Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O'Rourke. A large crowd of locals and dignitaries were in attendance, one attendee of note was Michael Connolly the last surviving person to work in the old station.

The station which has been operating since Monday 22nd October had been closed for 25 years.

Speeches by the head of Iarnrod Eireann Inter City, Joe Walshe, Chairman of the Monasterevin Railway Action Committee, Ned O'Rourke and Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O'Rourke were well received by the large crowd in attendance.

Construction of the station cost £2.5 million and includes the station building, booking office, two platforms, a 50-space car park and the provision of accessibility features for mobility-impaired customers. This includes a bridge with hydraulic lifts for wheelchairs, an access ramp to the station and disabled car parking spaces.

The building of the station was funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan, 2000 to 2006.

The Station will be a major boost to the people of Monasterevin and the surrounding areas, especially in today's environment of heavily congested roads, People will have a choice of how the wish to travel. The official opening consisted of speeches followed by the unveiling of a special Plaque, the cutting of a ribbon and an informal walkabout and inspection of the facilities. Refreshments were available in the Hazel Hotel afterwards.