Mullingar train cancellations, no replacement

[thedailygrudge]

On Friday, the 18.05 Longford service was cancelled yet again and no replacement was offered. Irish Rail informed commuters they could catch the 18.15 completely packed all-stops service instead.

The notice was on the CIE website from about 3pm, if they had such forewarning, are they obliged to provide us with an alternative not just cancelling the train completely. Often we are forced to wait until the 19.00 Sligo service as there is not enough room on the 18.15 all stops service.

The 17.00 Sligo service which many commters caught instead then proceeding to break down due to engine problems and the 19.00 service was delayed for 30 minutes in Mullingar for the police to arrest people on the train, so every single commuter service to Mullingar on Friday 25th was delayed. Becoming a common occurence seemingly on Friday afternoons. Any idea why?