Irish Rail makes urgent appeal to all Electric Picnic goers

A spokesperson for Irish Rail has asked Electric Picnic goers to avoid littering at Portlaoise train station while travelling to the festival.

 "With Electric Picnic on this weekend and additional customers travelling through the station, we will have additional resources in place to ensure customers are assisted to and from Electric Picnic, and the station is maintained to the required standard," a spokesperson said.

"At all times, we would urge those using the station to use the bins provided and help us all maintain cleanliness in the station and town."

With 75,000 attendees set to arrive in Stradbally, Portlaoise train station will be used by many commuters.

When recent reported incidents of littering at Portlaoise train station were inquired upon, a representative said:

"We have a regular cleaning regime at Portlaoise, and we do not have a recurring litter issue.  We did have a short term staffing issue in July which may have impacted cleaning in the evenings but this has now been resolved."

There have been past reports of littering at Portlaoise train station, which showed incidents of littering in An Taisce's IBAL Anti-Litter League survey at the start of 2024.

The report said:

"The overall impression at the exterior of the train station was of an area which lacked a thorough cleaning, particularly in various corner locations. Some items were food related, along with cigarette butts. There were no visible litter bins / cigarette butt units.

"There was a virtual absence of litter along the station platform and within the waiting room. This area is well served by litter bins. All aspects of the station were in good order."

In 2023, An Taisce's IBAL Anti-Litter League survey said: 

"There were too many sweet papers / food related items and cigarette related items e.g., butts, packaging and vaping devices, for the top litter grade. With a little more care on behalf of the users this could easily be achieved."