A major legal obstacle to the DART+ Coastal North project has been removed after a High Court challenge brought by a company controlled by developer Seán Reilly was formally withdrawn. The decision clears the way for the planned electrification of the rail line between Malahide and Drogheda, a key step toward expanding DART services into Co Louth.
Iarnród Éireann confirmed that judicial review proceedings against the project were struck out yesterday, following a mediated agreement reached outside court.
The case had been initiated in October by Alcove Ireland Three Ltd, part of the McGarrell Reilly Group, which owns approximately 14 hectares of land near Rush and Lusk station. The company sought to quash An Coimisiún Pleanála’s approval of the project, arguing the decision unlawfully interfered with its property rights, as sections of the land were earmarked for both temporary and permanent acquisition by CIÉ.
The action was paused in November to allow both sides to enter mediation. On Monday, barrister Damien Keaney, representing Alcove Ireland Three, told Ms Justice Emily Farrell that mediation had been “fruitful,” and the dispute was resolved. He requested that the proceedings be struck out with no order as to costs, which the court granted.
The DART+ Coastal North scheme will electrify the existing line and increase train frequency and capacity between Dublin and Drogheda — a transformative upgrade for commuters across north Dublin, Meath, and Louth.
With the legal challenge lifted, the project can now proceed through its next phases. While planning approval stands and legal barriers have fallen, government funding is still required before construction can begin.
The resolution follows similar progress across other elements of the wider DART+ Programme, signalling increasing momentum for Ireland’s largest ever rail modernisation initiative.
