Labour TD at centre of rail investigation
Labour TD Joe Sherlock is scheduled to issue a public statement on the issue today.
Irish Rail yesterday confirmed management and gardaí boarded the 18.30pm Dublin-Mallow-Tralee train, delaying it by 31 minutes last Thursday. They spoke to a passenger who was not in possession of a ticket.
Spokesman Barry Kenny declined to divulge the name of the "individual involved," but claimed an altercation occurred. He said an investigation was underway.
Mr Sherlock, one of Cork's most senior politicians and the first-ever Sinn Féin-Workers Party candidate to be elected to Dáil Éireann in 1981, yesterday admitted to being a passenger on the train which he said was delayed for 10-15 minutes.
Insisting he will issue a statement today, the Cork East TD said: "This will be sorted out what you are basing your story on is a one-sided version."
Mr Sherlock, aged 68, is eligible for a free travel pass. However, a free travel commuter also requires a valid ticket for each rail journey. A ticket can only be purchased on a train if the ticket office is closed or unstaffed.
Irish Rail said the maximum penalties for not being in possession of a valid ticket were €500 or three months' imprisonment.
A passenger who witnessed the incident said he recognised Mr Sherlock. "He refused to move from his seat and said he had a free pass."
Irish Rail declined to further elaborate on the nature of the altercation. Mr Kenny said: "A member of staff was concerned about an individual who did not have a ticket.
"The individual was followed up the platform onto the train and the gardaí were called. Management also spoke to the individual."
The Irish Rail spokesman added: "The matter is still under investigation.
"A staff member has submitted a formal report and correspondence has been received from the individual in question." More than 200 commuters were affected by the delay of the train, which did not depart Heuston until just after 7pm.
One passenger said he had earlier spotted Mr Sherlock near the front of the queue before the departure gates were opened.
Mr Sherlock, in public life for more than 36 years, was elected to the Dáil in 2002 on a Labour ticket after losing his seat, as a Democratic Workers Party candidate in 1992.
