The niece of the woman who died after being hit by a train in Co Sligo yesterday has issued a heartfelt tribute to her aunt.
Three separate investigations are under way into the death of Jessica McLoughlin, who was from the Cranmore area. The incident happened on a section of rail line near Ballisodare.
Rebecca McLoughlin sustained injuries in the incident, and is being treated in hospital.
This evening, gardaí appealed to any passengers who travelled by train to or from Sligo yesterday afternoon to come forward.
They are asking those who were on the train that arrived into Sligo station at around 2pm yesterday afternoon to make contact.
Detectives involved in the inquiry are also keen to speak to any passengers who were on the 1.05pm eastbound service from Sligo to Dublin Connolly.
It is understood investigators are working to determine exactly how Ms McLoughlin and her niece came to be on the railway tracks, in advance of the fatal accident.
The 40-year-old was killed when she was struck by the 3.05pm train from Sligo to Dublin Connolly, a short distance from Collooney station, close to the townland of Knoxpark.
In a post on social media, Rebecca McLoughlin said she was heartbroken by the loss of her "beautiful aunty" Jess.
Ms McLoughlin described her as being like a sister to her and said she would always ensure her children knew how much they were loved by their mother.
There is widespread shock around Sligo in the aftermath of yesterday’s tragedy.
Jessica McLoughlin was walking along rail tracks between Ballisodare and Collooney, when she was struck, shortly after 3pm.
Rebecca McLoughlin, who is in her 20s, was taken to Sligo University Hospital, where she is currently being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The rail line reopened this morning following a preliminary examination of the scene last night.
A technical examination of the scene has been completed by Forensic Collision Investigators.
Train services between Dublin and Sligo were disrupted in the hours after the incident but were running as normal today.
Efforts are now under way to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fatality.
Garda forensic experts attended the accident site, along with inspectors from Iarnród Éireann yesterday evening. Both agencies are conducting separate inquiries.
A third investigation is being undertaken by the Railway Accident Investigation Unit (RAIU).
It is charged with examining the circumstances surrounding any fatalities or serious injuries on the rail network, with a view to making recommendations for the avoidance of similar incidents in future.
A file is also being prepared for the local coroner.
This morning, prayers were offered for Ms McLoughlin at her local parish church, St Anne's in Cranmore.
Father Joseph Wenjeslaus also prayed that her relative would make a full recovery from her injuries.
Sinn Féin Councillor for Sligo-Drumcliffe, Thomas Healy, said yesterday's incident is a "tragedy for the whole of Sligo".
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said that the two women are from a well-known family in Sligo town.
He said the tragedy will live long in the memory of people locally.
Mr Healy paid tribute to emergency services and rail staff who attended the scene yesterday.
Communications manager with Iarnród Éireann Jane Cregan said yesterday's incident was very distressing for all involved.
Also speaking on Morning Ireland, she said that the train driver and crew were unhurt in the incident and are receiving help through the employee assistance programme, which offers counselling in such incidences.
She said that an internal investigation is under way into the events and began shortly after the incident.
"I would commend our colleagues in the emergency services who dealt with this incident, and also my colleagues on the ground there yesterday," she added.
Gardaí can be contacted at Sligo Garda station on 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
