'A blow' and 'criminal': Public furious that Waterford-Wexford rail line will not reopen

People have been reacting online to the news that the government will not reopen to Waterford-Wexford rail line. 

Many have taken to social media to express their frustration, with one user on X describing it as "criminal." 

They've done it again, they've cut more rail projects. The most criminal one for me is cancelling the reopening of the Waterford-Wexford/Rosslare line. On the left is the All-island Rail Review published by the last government and on the right is the plan published today. pic.twitter.com/CkbRfqPYgJ

— Feljin Jose (@Feljin_J) December 15, 2025

The line connecting Wexford and Rosslare to Waterford was closed in 2010 but has been maintained by Irish Rail. 

Last year, the line featured in the All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review, raising hopes that it might be put back into use.

READ NEXT: 'Congrats Emma!'- Young Waterford woman crowned Munsters ladies footballer of the year

However, a "prioritisation strategy" announced earlier this week failed to mention the line, leading people to believe that reopening it is unlikely. 

Another person posted on X to say "It's a blow to the entire south of the country." 

Rail campaign group, South East on Track, issued a statement on the lack of inclusion in the strategy, stating "South East on Track were dismayed to read reports about the apparent cancellation of the re-opening of the Wexford-Waterford line." 

"TDs in the previous government fought hard to get the Wexford-Waterford line included in the AISRR whereas this progress seems to have been erased overnight by the government of the day," it continued.