Train passengers were left waiting at Dublin’s Heuston Station after train drivers went on a three-hour strike affecting an estimated 40,000 people across the country.
Betty Heaphy, Joan Keating and Phil O’Connell were in good spirits as they waited for their train home to Listowel in Co Kerry after a five-week trip to visit family in Chicago. After travelling for nearly 14 hours the three women arrived back in Dublin only to discover their scheduled 7.30am train had been cancelled.
“We’re a bit worse for wear at the moment,” said Ms Heaphy, adding that according to their body clocks they should be fast asleep in bed. “We’ve got our ticket but the man here says he doesn’t know when the train will leave.”
“We are in good spirits though,” she added. “We’re still on a high from the trip.”
On a nearby bench, IADT student Sarah Peters is listening to music to pass the time. Ms Peters arrived at the station from Cabinteely early on Friday morning to catch a train home to Cork city for her 21st birthday celebrations.
“I actually did know about the strike but I’m a very stubborn person so on hearing it was going on I was like I’m going to go in anyway and see what happens and catch the first train I can back.”
Across the road from the station, a large crowd has gathered by the bus stop. Florent Peyrard, who works in Park West, knew about the strike but has been waiting for a bus for half an hour.
“Usually the trip takes seven minutes on the train. The bus will take half an hour. I’ve been waiting for the bus for half an hour now so that’s not great, I’ll be late for work.”
Clarice Federman who also works in Park West didn’t know about the strike. She arrived at 7.30 to catch her train only to discover she was alone in the station.
“I had no idea, it’s my fault because I heard it was in the news and everything. Actually I didn’t pay attention when I walked into the station, I just thought there was nobody there.”
Ms Federman used to take the bus to work but found it very unreliable.
“Sometimes it was delayed and other times it would never show up. The train is more convenient.”
Peter Williams, a dentist who works in Portlaoise, heard about the strike but after checking the website on Thursday evening presumed the trains would be running.
“They had posted something online saying the trains might be cancelled,” he said, adding that he had to cancel his morning appointments at the dentist’s surgery. “I checked yesterday and they said the trains were running. Even this morning there was nothing about it. It said the train was still available.”
Iarnoród Éireann resumed rail services at 9am but has warned of knock-on disruptions until mid- morning on Friday and passengers are advised to check the Iarnród Éireann website for details.
