The train left Connolly with all interior electrics operational - what was unusual was having sit in Connolly until about 10 minutes before departure with everything off but they got it going eventually. The busted train was still operational - it left Maynooth under its own power going towards Dublin. But if was the same unit that failed earlier in the week, this is a pretty poor effort.
I guess they didn't have much option but to use the train they had available which I reckon was the 15:00 up-train from Sligo, as it arrived from the down-side with people on board. But they could have managed the situation a lot better as follows.
1. Announce instructions clearly twice or three times (for the benefit of headphone wearers, hard of hearing - etc.). Repeat the announcements on each train every couple of minutes.
2. Offload the train and have everyone for Sligo (beyond Longford) cross to the other platform. Have the failed train head towards Dublin.
3. Have everyone going no further than Longford board the 17:15 on the same side - also suggest the infirm do the same so as to avoid having to cross the bridge as they will be able to do a same platform change onto the following Sligo train at Longford.
4. Have the Longford train leave first to avoid providing an incentive for Longford passengers to overcrowd the Sligo train because it was leaving first.
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