coolmine station,early train, 50 euro fine

[andyl222]

I was walking to catch the 12.50 train to connolly at coolmine station. I was perhaps 150 metres from thje level crossing when i noticed the barrier was down, signifying a train was coming into the station. It was 12.38 and i assumed it must have been a maynooth bound train, I kept walking at a relaxed pace considering i felt in no real rush. Then as i reached the level crossing the train arrived from the maynooth direction en route to dublin. It was a good 8 minutes early and at first i thought it may have been a maynooth - connolly direct, but alas it was in fact the train i intended to catch. I had an important meeting with a lecturer so I jumped on the train assuming I could just pay when I reached Connolly. They have a new booth in Connolly station, on platform 4, which to all intents and purposes is signposted and manned like a ticket booth. I walked to the booth and addressed the attendant, asking to buy a return ticket to maynooth. He said he couldnt sell me a ticket and asked to see an i.d then proceeded to take my details and hand me a fine for 50 euro. I tried to explain my situation, with the train being early etc and was met with a blank stare and told i could contest the fine if i wanted.... Has anyone had any similar experiences in the recent past???

As far as I know if you get the train on the Maynooth line and board the train without a ticket you can pay at the other end. It seems a simple enough issue. I use the train 5 days a week and have done so for the last 3 years, and only 4 times in that period have i had to pay at the other end due to not havin a ticket beforehand, but surely if I was allowed do so in the past then I should still be allowed. Unless of course IE have changed the rules again, without making a point of signposting it, and as a result are happily threatening their diligent loyal if somewhat unfortunate customers to legal action, unless they fill their coffers with fine money.