Day when citizens were offered freedom of Dublin and declined

It was the day when thousands of ordinary Irish citizens were offered the freedom of Dublin, and politely declined. With the exception of the people of Sligo, who flocked to the capital in unusually high numbers, no-fares day was a temptation most people found easy to resist.

Nobody was stranded in Heuston Station last night because all the trains home were full.

There were a few notable winners from the industrial action. Chief among them were six Dutch people on a cycling tour of Ireland who were catching a train to Tralee, two days earlier than planned.

Yesterday morning they'd travelled from Sligo to Dublin, forming part of the 50 per cent increase in numbers on the line.

The six are also doing some cycling on their Tour d'Irlande, but thanks to the unions, yesterday was a day of rest. Between them and their bikes, they completed nearly €600 worth of rail travel courtesy of the Irish taxpayer. "We love Ireland," said one of the cyclists as they headed for the platform. "You have very nice strikes here."

Other beneficiaries included the State's pensioners. They have the freedom of the city and country every day.

But yesterday, with the first-class and Citygold carriages opened to all, Iarnród Éireann discriminated in favour of the free-pass holders. Where possible, senior citizens were promoted to first-class citizens, if only for a day.

Apart from that it could have been a normal day in Heuston. The station was overrun with journalists and satellite vans positioned to cover the riots that would ensue when hundreds were turned away from the Cork train. But there was no blood on the tracks, and the atmosphere quickly degenerated into one of calm. With staff freed from the chore of selling and checking tickets, the atmosphere was if anything more relaxed than usual.

A young woman queuing 90 minutes early for the train to Galway seemed like a case of panic induced by the expected crowds. "No," she said, "I'm always here this early." Queues did form sooner than normal, causing short-lived worries for railway staff.

But apart from the 4.30 p.m. to Waterford, from which 40 people were turned back, and the 5.10 p.m. to Ennis, which left without 20, there were no problems with capacity.' The disappointed passengers in those cases travelled on later services.

The last big test was the 7.30 p.m. to Cork. The long queue for it was swallowed up by the train, however, and nobody was turned away.