Irish Rail passenger stunned by gesture of staff to young man on Portlaoise train

One Irish Rail train passenger has heaped praise on staff for their actions with a young man who boarded the wrong train in Portlaoise this week.

The passenger took to X to send Irish Rail a message to say the staff were "just fabulous" for the way in which they dealth with the situation.

In her post, the passenger said: "I was on the 3.30 Limerick train from Heuston today. A young man got on in Portlaoise, instead of getting on the Galway train. One staff member rang his grandmother, explained with patience what had happened and asked her to collect him at the next stop.

"The same staff member sat with the young man reassuring him that this happens all the time. Then at the next stop another staff member got off with him to wait until his grandmother arrived," she explained.

The woman went on to write that "the two staff in question were just fabulous and so compassionate towards the young man." She sent her post directly to Irish Rail who responded.

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They said: "Thank you for the positive feedback. I will be sure to pass your comments on regarding these staff members."

the same staff member sat with the young man reassuring him that this happens all the time. Then at the next stop another staff member got off with him to wait until his grandmother arrived. The two staff in question were just fabulous and so compassionate towards the young man!

— Eleanor Fitzgerald (@EleanorFit80231) November 24, 2025