Laois passenger confronts Irish Rail with St Patrick's weekend Portlaoise Dublin train farce

Ireland might have been a big winner in the Aviva Stadium but Irish Rail won't win any trophies for its service to a Portlaoise customer who was trying to get to Dublin with Irish Rail to see the rugby team win the Grand Slam.

John Finn from Beechfield in Portlaoise set off on Saturday, March 18 with some trepidation to get the train from Portlaoise to Dublin. He was worried because he says he has had 'big problems' previously using the train as a wheelchair user.

He has outlined his St Patrick's weekend experience both to and from Dublin to Irish Rail HQ. He shared this account with the Leinster Express Laois Live.

He told the company that when he booked his ticket online to travel from Portlaoise to Dublin Heuston he requested assistance on as he is a wheelchair user.

"When I got to Portlaoise station there was no staff member to help me get on the train. A fellow passenger came to my aid got the ramp and got me on the train. When I got to Heuston there was no staff to get me off. I had to wait at least 15 minutes for assistance," he said. 

John's return journey experience bordered on farce.

"I arrived for my return journey and asked a staff member what platform was the Portlaoise train at and asked for assistance. He said abruptly the train driver would. I went to the top of the train and got the attention of the driver. He was not happy with that request but proceeded to get me on the train. I told him I was going to Portlaoise and to let Portlaoise know I needed there help to exit the train. 

"At Portlaoise Station, the driver came to help me. When I got off I went to use the lift and it was out of order. The train driver realised there was a problem told me to wait so that he could talk to his line manager.

"When he returned he told me and a couple with a baby buggy that we were to get back on the train and he would bring the train to a siding and return back on the other track. The driver was embarrassed with the lack of service his company was giving to the paying passengers. He apologised on behalf of the company.

"I said to him I used the same service in the 1970s for 10 years as I went to school in Dublin and got a better service. There was always a staff member available in Portlaoise and Houston. Train travel in 21st-century Ireland is gone backward," he has told Irish Rail.

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Mr Finn's complaint to the company concluded with a question: "When is your company going to get yourselves organised?"

The Leinster Express Laois Live is awaiting a reply from Irish Rail.