Passengers left scrambling over high gate to board train at Tullamore

PASSANGERS hoping to board the early morning train in Tullamore last Saturday April 22 found themselves locked out of the station.

One passenger has contacted us to say she was among around 15 people queuing outside the station for the first 7.00am train that morning.

''I was the first to arrive about 6.45, and the shutters were down, and gate locked. This was still the case when everyone else arrived with minutes to go to the train arriving,'' said the passenger who wishes to remain anonymous.

''The lights were on in the station, and I tried calling the phone line inside - which we could hear ringing out from outside. I believe some other people from the group were trying to contact Irish rail directly, but I cannot confirm this.''

''The train (from Dublin) did arrive around 7.10 - and us passengers were all forced to climb the barred steel gate in a scramble, in order to get on in time. This was stressful for many people, not just because we were under quick time pressure, but also because of its height, as well,'' the passenger said.

This was particularly difficult for older people in the group who needed assistance. Many lost valuables from their handbags in the rush to make the train on time.

The passenger alerted the train driver, who in turn put in a call to Irish rail informing them of the issue. The driver waited for all the passengers to board once he saw what was happening.

''I think he was in a bit of shock to see it,'' said the passenger who wishes to remain anonymous.

''We all boarded - many without tickets as they were waiting to validate or print them inside the station before the train arrived.''

Those same passengers were then under pressure in Portarlington trying to explain what happened and why they had no tickets. One older lady found it especially difficult.

The passengers said they hope that if anyone was in the station that they are okay and it was simply a timing error as the train driver seemed a little concerned.

Irish Rail has apologised to passengers. A spokesperson said: ''I would like to apologise to those customers impacted by this. Our security contractor was due to open this station in time for this service, but unfortunately they had a fall down in their service.We are investigating this fall down with our security contractor to ensure that it does not happen again.

The station was opened at 07:27hrs.''