UCC professor refutes claim of 'mini-tornado' at Cork train station
A professor in UCC has said that yesterday's roof collapse in Cork's Kent Station was caused by a "straight lone wind", and not a "mini-tornado" which he branded a "scientifically meaningless term".
A woman in her 20s was injured after she was struck by a large chunk of debris as she was stood in the station car park.
Two other people were treated at the scene for shock.
Dr John Tyrrell, who is part of the Tornado & Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) says he "can be pretty definite that this was nothing to do with a tornado".
He said: "I know some of the news media are using the scientifically meaningless term 'mini-tornado' to describe the wind damage at Kent station.
"It was what we refer to as a 'straight lone wind'. There is a significant tendency to explain very localised serious wind damage as due to a tornado.
"But the evidence from the damage is otherwise.
An investigation into the incident has been launched.
Irish Rail said the station will fully re-open today, but they said there may be minor delays.
