Irish Rail passengers demand refunds after 'major delays' on Cork trains

Many Irish Rail passengers were delayed for several hours today as the 3.30pm train to Cork suffered a mechanical fault between Thurles and Limerick Junction.

As a result of this, all Heuston to Cork, Kerry and Limerick services suffered ‘major’ delays with passengers left sitting on trains for hours including the 4pm, 5.30pm and 6pm train to Cork.

Irish Rail tweeted at 8pm to say that all passengers on the train with the mechanical fault would be transferred shortly to another train.

This tweet was met with exasperation from commuters trying to complete their journey and a number of people tweeting looking for information on other delayed services.

Irish Rail tweeted to say a full refund would be available to all affected passengers and forms would be handed out at destination stations as well as attaching a link.

One Cork commuter tweeted to say he was heading to Cork for a few days and the last thing he needed after a long day at work was to be left in Templemore station waiting for a transfer.

According to the Irish Rail website, compensation for the delays comes in the following format. 

For 60 to 120 minutes, Weekly, Monthly or Annual ticket holders get 25% cash refund for that day pro-rata, based on the cost of the ticket.

Intercity Single or Return ticket holders get 50% in vouchers or 25% in cash refund.

For a delay of 120 minutes or more holders of weekly, monthly or annual ticket holders can get 50% cash refund for that day and Intercity single or return ticket holders can get 100% in vouchers or 50% in cash refund.

There is also a policy that the minimum refund processed is €2.00 and the maximum refund is €7.50 per delay on Taxsaver cards, as per Revenue Commissioner Guidelines 

To apply for a refund follow this link: irishrail.ie/IrishRail/media/Imported/combined_charter_refund_form_2017.pdf