Irish Rail reviewing response after train broke down outside Laois station

Irish Rail has confirmed they are reviewing their response to the significant delays experienced by passengers after a train broke down outside Portarlington this week. 

On Wednesday evening the 7pm Heuston to Cork service developed a fault about 3km before Portarlington. 

Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail told Leinster Express/ Laois Live that they will be reviewing all aspects of their response based on customer feedback. 

 "We sincerely apologise to all customers who experienced significant delays both on the 19:00hrs Dublin Heuston to Cork service, connecting services, and other trains affected.

"The locomotive on the 19:00hrs Heuston to Cork developed a fault about 3km before Portarlington, and it was quickly established it had broken down. 

"Given the location, and operational situation, the best option at the time for customers to move onwards was to have customers transferred to a following train, 19:35 Heuston to Galway, which was brought alongside.  This is a process which takes time to be undertaken safely, and ultimately all 300 passengers were moved to the Galway train. 

"This proceeded to Portarlington, where customers for Cork (and connections to Kerry and Limerick) were to be transferred to the following 21:00hrs service from Heuston to Cork.

"This did take longer than anticipated as trains in the opposite direction were cleared through the section and the train with the fault was shunted out of the way, resulting in a further 90 minute delay at Portarlington."

https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/portlaoise-/1422857/rail-services-resume-in-laois-after-bridge-strike.html

Customers arrived in Cork at 2.30 am and catering supplies were distributed and further water was brought on the train at Portlaoise and Limerick Jctn for customers. 

"Taxis were arranged for all who needed them to final destinations, and all customers will be refunded as well as issued with further vouchers," added Mr Kenny. 

"We recognise this was a hugely disruptive delay and we will be reviewing all aspects of our response based on customer feedback.  We thank our customers for the patience and courtesy shown to Iarnród Éireann staff on board and at stations, and to each other, during the lengthy delay, and to our on board and station staff who responded to assist."