Irish Rail, gangsters

Ok I drive into work everyday because I work in Field Sales and need my car, anyway last wednesday was going out for pints after work so left my car at home and went to get the Coolmine - Pearse Train. So got to platform and as usual on the Blanch side the ticket office was closed. I was getting the 10 train. So I waited around 10 mins, hopped onto train and headed into town.

Now for you people that don't know Coolmine this is what always happens and you pay at Pearse etc when you get off. I done this just 2 weeks before with no problem

So about 5 mins into journey ticket officer comes up so I take out 2 euro to hand to him. Sorry I cant take money. So I explained what had happened, he just stood there with a pig ignorant head on him saying I was a "fare dogger". Now lads I was sitting in a full suit with a laptop beside me I think I could pay the 1.95.

So I asked him, never raised my voice, where I was supposed to buy the ticket if the little office was closed. Answer: Don't know. So I offered to pay him then, Oh I cant take money off you. SO I again repeated where was I supposed to buy the ticket. Then he gets all snotty, well everyone else has a ticket. Guy beside me says, well yes we have weekly tickets which I bought in the little office but that was closed.

So I asked him what happens now, gave me a ticket and told me to ring this guy, John Byrne, Revneure Protection Unit for Irish Rail. So when I got off train and was in office, done a bit of checking with my mates around blanch and they all said the same. You get the ticket in Pearse. So I rang the number, left 3 messages and got no reply. So the next day I emailed the email address: info@irishrail.ie explaining my situation, that I had left messages and that I wanted to contact John. Explained about buying the ticket in pearse just 2 weeks before

Reply:

Good afternoon Neil

Thank you for your mail regarding the circumstances you have outlined while travelling from Coolmine station. Firstly I will address the points you have raised

There is no change in Iarnrod Eireann ticketing policy all passengers must have a ticket prior to boarding any service when a facility is available. This has been the policy of the railway since the 1889 railway act.
To re-enforce this policy numerous amounts of signage is dotted around the network and the rolling stock. The newest poster No Ticket, No Travel, No Excuse is located on all rolling stock transiting that station and at main stations such as Connolly.

This is also accompanied by an information booklet of the same name available at stations (see attachment). In regard to Coolmine the platform on the way to Dublin has a container which houses a temporary booking office that operates at peak times in the morning. Directly across from that is the booking office that contains an automatic vending machine and ticket sales from two windows access to the ticket office is over the passenger footbridge.

The station is manned until 2130 every evening. With regard to staff informing you that you could pay at the other end this practice is only permitted if one the TVM is out of operation or two there is a power cut and we cant sell you a ticket . Passengers using the service are asked to allow themselves plenty of time to buy a ticket rather then risk committing the offence of evasion albeit un-deliberately.

In your case the standard fine is €80-100 for individuals caught attempting or accidentally evading on our services , However as I will have to charge you something the minimum I can charge is €25 giving you 21 days to pay . Please fine attached the leaflet mentioned.


So I replied

Hi John

Thanks for the reply. In regards to the fine of €25, as mentioned I normally don't get the train into work. I drive in and only got the train that morning because I was going for drinks after work with a customer and did not want to bring car along. If the policy is there since 1889 why was I told a few weeks beforehand to get the ticket at Pearse and when I got off train there was someone standing there and I paided them and they never mentioned anything about a fine for no ticket? there was about 10-15 people that day and they all paided the person at Pearse. It was Tuesday the 24th of October. Just checked my calender.

I explained it to the person who gave me the ticket and had no problem giving him the 1.90 or 1.95 but he would not accept. When I asked about ticket office and where I could buy tickets he couldn't tell me where it was. I passed the station earlier from work and there is a office on other side of station, is this where you buy tickets? just for future reference. The little blue office was closed again when I passed.

I have talked to 2-3 people who are friends and they all said they done the same and bought tickets at destination from coolmine. I am just confused if there is a law since 1889 then why have they been using the train and doing the same as myself without a mention of a fine?

I got this bollock back yesterday:

I've spoken to the inspector for that day and he tells me that you informed him you didn't get a ticket because you ran for the train. Also other passengers on that service had tickets purchased at the station. I would advise that the fine be paid and this will close the issue. I've already reduced the fine to €25 and that's all the action I will be taking on the matter. In regard to what you were told I can't comment on as you don't identify the member of staff but let me assure you that all staff are aware of the consequences of allowing passengers onto a service without a ticket when a facillity is available.

What can I do?? Inspector is telling a load of lies, was standing on the platform for 5-10 mins waiting on the train. I am wondering if I bother going to a solicotor will I have a case? lads say to sue for slander for being called a "fare dodger"