Garda/Go Safe Safety Cameras to go live at Merrion Gates

29 Eanáir 2026

Iarnród Éireann, together with An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council, are set to put into operation the first Garda / Go Safe safety camera to operate at a railway level crossing, at Merrion Gates in Dublin.

The cameras are enabled to record motorists using crossings and will automatically detect:

1. Proceeding beyond a stop line when red lights are flashing at a Railway Level Crossing, which is subject of a Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) of E80 and two (2) Penalty Points.
2. Speeding, which is subject of a Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) of E160 and three (3) penalty points

 The cameras will enhance safety for rail and road users alike, including pedestrians and cyclists, by deterring risk-taking at chosen locations.

As level crossings represent a new deployment of the Garda Go Safe system, the cameras have been tested extensively in recent months.

The new camera is the first of up to six camera units which will be used across a range of level crossings.  While the key issue at Merrion Gates is proceeding beyond a stop line when red lights are flashing, it is also planning to deploy them over the coming months at Farranfore and Minish in Co Kerry, and Knockcroghery in Co Roscommon, where speeding is the primary issue.  

The cameras are easy to relocate, and they will be deployed dependent on driver behaviour. Merrion was chosen as the first location due to traffic surveys showing persistent driver behaviour issues.  Where these safety cameras have been deployed across the roads network, driver compliance of up to 98.6% is achieved.  In Dublin, it is intended to move units across the network to automated crossings such as Serpentine, Sutton, Coolmine and Sandymount where incidents have been recorded.

In 2025, there have been 23 incidents in which road vehicles or bikes have been in collision with level crossing gates, compared with 28 in 2024.

Speaking at Merrion Gates, CEO Of Iarnród Éireann, Mary Considine said, “Interface between road and rail users at level crossings represents one of the greatest safety risks on the railway. The installation of Garda Go safe cameras, firstly here at Merrion Gates and at other level crossings across the country to encourage drivers to always act safely at level crossings”

As the first camera begins operation, Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing and Community Engagement, Catharina Gunne, said: “We welcome this next stage of co-operation with our partners in transport safety. The effective use of this kind of technology will greatly help us to keep rail and road users safe through enforcement.

“But we still appeal to people to take care when approaching a railway level crossing, to be aware of other road users and to pay heed to the warning lights indicating that it is unsafe for you to proceed, and require you to stop so as to avoid any risk to you or the safety of others.”

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam said:

Dublin City Council are pleased to support this initiative and look forward to seeing more of this type of technology rolled out across the city to ensure all users obey the  traffic signals, which are installed to assist all road users and pedestrians.