The Global Infrastructure Group family is pleased to welcome Damien Galligan.

Many of you will know that Irishman Damien, spent five very successful years working as a Commercial Manager for our Australian business, Global Rail Australia in Melbourne. Damien departed in 2019 to broaden his client-side experience, joining international Cost Consultant Rider Levett Bucknall.

Some 18 months later, we were delighted to be able to offer Damien, a new position worthy of his skills and experience, however, additionally, the opportunity to come back to his roots in Ireland.

Damien will therefore be joining our Irish business, Global Rail Services in Dublin, as Senior Commercial Manager, responsible for all pre and post contract duties covering cost estimating, benchmarking, value engineering, allocation of risk, project tendering, tender reports, contract administration, claims assessment, dispute resolution, negotiations and final account settlements. This covers the entire Irish portfolio, across a range of multi-disciplinary sectors covering rail and transportation, telecommunications, conservation works and new build projects.

Ivan Holloway, CEO of Global Rail Services and Global Rail Australia, added:

“Our businesses in Ireland have recently been bolstered with a number of high calibre senior appointments and promotions and this is another. Having worked with Damien in Australia, I am delighted to have been able to facilitate this senior role in Ireland for him. Welcome home Damien.”

Our Dublin based Global Rail Services team are delighted to announce the promotion of Damien Carroll to Senior Project Manager.

The promotion is testament to the expertise and dedication Damien has provided over the last 4 years – support that has been instrumental in the success of our rail and construction operations in Ireland.

His role going forward will involve project managing key contracts throughout Ireland, supporting staff and acting as senior liaison with clients. 

Damien will be supporting Operations Director Eoin Shortt, to deliver sustainable project management solutions in line with both client and business requirements.

Eoin Shortt, Operations Director of Global Rail Services Limited said:

“Damien is a talented Project Manager. We are delighted to promote him and look forward to his support of Global Rail Services’ future growth and prosperity.”

We are delighted to announce the promotion of Ray Collins to Commercial Director for our Irish Operations covering our Construction, Infrastructure and Rail Contracting business Global Rail Services Limited and our telecoms arm GRA Networks Ireland.

The promotion is testament to the dedication Ray has provided over the last 12-years’ – support that has been instrumental in the growth and prosperity of our businesses in Ireland.

His role going forward, will involve directing all commercial aspects of our contracting throughout Ireland, supporting staff – forming part of a new senior management team, with fellow Directors Aidan Kelly and Eoin Short.

Ray will be supporting new General Manager Stephen O’Brien, to further grow and develop these organisations, by providing the necessary commercial governance and structure.

Ivan Holloway, CEO of Global Rail Services Limited said:

“Ray is a consummate professional and a talented commercial leader. We are delighted to promote him to Commercial Director and look forward to his advice and support for many years to come.”

Global Rail Services, our multi-disciplinary rail and infrastructure contracting business based in Dublin, has delivered an exciting project on behalf Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail) – an ambitious new lighting system on the White Bridge over the Shannon in Athlone.

The system, which is the latest in LED lighting technology, has been successfully commissioned by the Global Rail Services team and facilitates the illumination of the southern face of the bridge in a variety of colour tones and lighting sequences.

Mayor of Athlone Cllr Aengus O’Rourke has hailed the result of investment by and said: “I had the pleasure of working closely with senior management in the Infrastructure section of Iarnrod Eireann in recent years. And what started out back then as a discussion around the possibility of cleaning and painting the bridge soon developed into a conversation about a much more ambitious lighting project.

“Two years later and I am absolutely delighted with the outcome. I have learned so much in that time about the opportunities and capabilities of new design lighting technologies that will enhance our town.”

The metre-long sections fixed to the southern face of the bridge are capable of illuminating in any colour tone imaginable and can be programmed to flash or run from left to right from middle to edges and in any colour.

Mayor O’Rourke said that there were many trials and demonstrations and the end result is a perfect fit for the bridge and for the town:

“The ‘Instagram moment’ that has been talked about previously on the new bridge as people step from East to West and visa versa, has now been joined by a second ‘Insta moment’ opportunity for those crossing the bridge.

“Every little thing we do to enhance the town and our image is a bonus and feeds into our plan to be a great town to live in, visit, study in and do business in. And, the more positive memories people take with them from Athlone the better.

“The bridge will be lit-up every night 365 days a year and lights will be coloured in keeping with the season or in support of local initiatives.

“This would allow, for example, Christmas lighting, St Patrick’s Day lighting or particular colours to be chosen to coincide with charity events or special occasions.

“My sincere hope as we see out this challenging and difficult year, is that this new vibrant and joyful display of lights will act as a beacon to brighter days ahead for us all and for Athlone.”

Cllr Frankie Keena also welcomed the new lighting and thanked Irish Rail. He said: “It is a really impressive lighting display, which will contribute enormously to the ambiance of the area.”

Global Rail Services Limited were commissioned to deliver a project to provide for the relocation of the Connolly West Signalling, Electrical & Telecoms (SE&T) department from their existing compound at Connolly Station.

The M3 Parkway Station was identified for the relocation and involved the remodelling of the existing station building at M3 Parkway into maintenance offices for the SE&T Signalling West Department.

The works constituted the refurbishment of the existing station into offices and the construction of 2 no. new storage facilities, one structural steel and one blockwork.

Works also included the renovation of the existing building, removing the old rooflight of the station and installing a new roof covering. The scope also covered the installation and commissioning of a new electrical installation.

The works have been carried out in a manner to cause minimal impact to the safe working of the area and the public in general and with no interference with the operational railway line.

All work has been planned and co-ordinated to cause a minimum disruption to the public as possible for the duration of the works. The site has been fenced off and secured in accordance with both the works and the health and safety requirements. All deliveries were scheduled, and logistics management provided throughout. The implementation of traffic management was continually monitored, reviewed and adjusted as works proceeded.

Global Rail Services Limited (GRSL) has completed a significant and complex civil engineering project from Drybridge to Drogheda Town Centre, in Co. Louth, on behalf of long-term client ESB Networks.

In their capacity as PSCS for the project, GRSL supplied a secure yard/compound and were responsible for liaison with ESB, Louth County Council and all affected residents and business owners.

Providing a fully managed service including QSE representation for the project duration, the work scope covered the excavation, ducting, backfilling and reinstatement of trenches, including crossing a stream. GRSL also connected two existing ducts that were under the M1 motorway, laid ducts over/under existing services and culverts and installed a 400mm2 XLPE power cable prior to completion of all road and pavement restoration works.

Significant amounts of hand excavation assisted by a vacuum excavator – to help protect existing services – was also undertaken, which were very deep in a number of locations. GRSL were responsible for the design and construction of all temporary works.

Full Traffic Management was provided throughout, which covered 8 different road opening licences and 21 separate traffic management plans.

The project was a necessity for the town of Drogheda; supporting power capacity upgrades to enable future development.

Global Rail Services Limited Project Manager, John Casey added:

“Well done to all concerned for a successful project and with special thanks to supply chain partner Córas Pipeline Services Ltd.”

Irish Rail, on behalf of Rosslare Harbour, has awarded Global Rail Services Limited (GRSL) a contract to repair damage to the Berth 3 linkspan, which caters for the Stena Horizon and Europe ships.

The existing damaged structural steel elements are being replaced in a like for like manner. GRSL have been tasked with the fabrication of steel to an Execution level 3 (EXC3) for the linkspan with an estimated overall tonnage of 10 tonnes.

GRSL have provided a bespoke temporary working platform fixed to the underside of the linkspan structure for safe access to the front face of the linkspan, aided by the deployment of an MSO (Marine Survey Office) licenced safety boat with P4 certification and a competent trained skipper. The temporary platform was designed to be submerged into the sea when contract works are not taking place, so that the linkspan can remain operational for ships to use.

Works are being carefully managed and sequenced to allow ferries to operate normally, while the remedial works are being carried out and due for completion later this year.