Late trains and those that follow

[drumcondra commuter]

So I went to get the 16h52 from Maynooth to Drumcondra on Friday last. I arrive at the station to be told it is running 12 minutes late so I cross the platform to get the 1705 instead. A slower train but hey, my life's not that busy.

Why then did the 1705 train not leave until after the late 1652 train left at about 1710? Surely the late train should sit behind the 1705 train and put up with the consequences of being late, even if it is a faster train and goes on to Rosslare? By doing what they did IR have inconvenienced more passengers than they did by having one late train.

Can someone explain this madness?