Welcome
Lets focus on the issue, your grievance is with the ticket sold.
Tickets are normally issued as day return unless otherwise requested (day return is the only return type universally available for all routes, all stations). I'm guessing Thurles - Dublin? (no discounted tickets on a Friday)
At time of purchase you should have checked the ticket issued was correct. The valid to/from dates are printed on all tickets. That's Irish Rail's get out clause as its in the T&C's that it is the passengers responsibility to confirm they have been issued the correct ticket.
It is unclear as to what ticket you actually requested. The complaint here is you were not issued with the ticket which matched "your expressed need" and that is a specific obligation in Irish Rail's customer charter. Expressed needs is the key here, is what you asked for.
The booking office staff should have confirmed your intentions, they did not it appears. That's where you have a claim that not attempt was made to determine your "need". That really is your only avenue of complaint.
From a legal point of view you did not have a valid ticket at time of inspection, that's a penalty fare and the official issuing it was completely correct to do so. There is no negotiation when the fine is issued. You no doubt object to this, but it is the law and we cannot challenge the lawful actions of the official.
You could argue "no intent to defraud" as you had a ticket, but Irish Rail are on firm ground as no valid ticket held.
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