Iarnród Éireann have come under fire for “a total lack of respect” shown to Laois customers.
That is according to one local citizen, who alerted LaoisToday about an ongoing problem at Portlaoise Train Station.
The citizen, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “Portlaoise train station has had no toilets for months now.
“The only toilet they have in the station is closed since last year, you can see the notice paper is starting to go yellow now, it’s been up for so long.
“This is a total lack of respect from the local staff and Irish Rail for their customers and the community they serve.
“I witnessed, several times, old ladies and disabled people trying to use that facility, only to be turned back, and needed to leave the train station, and then miss their train.
“This is not the level of service that we expect from Irish Rail – when we pay our train tickets – that a toilet maintenance fee is already included in the ticket price.”
LaoisToday reached out to Iarnród Éireann and received the following response from Ms Jane Cregan, Deputy Corporate Communications Manager.
She said that the toilets were closed due to vandalism and a sewage pipe problem.
Ms Cregan confirmed though that the problem had now been rectified.
She said: “The toilets at Portlaoise station have been out of action for a number of weeks.
“This was due to vandalism and a sewerage pipe problem.
“Due to the fact that the car park is at capacity, we were not in a position to put in temporary toilets, but there are toilets onboard all services that serve Portlaoise.
“As of today (Friday, April 4), the issues have been rectified and the toilets are back open.”
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