A RAIL CUSTOMER has settled a debt with Irish Rail for more than €5,000, after it emerged he had been using his Annual ticket past its authorised area.

The initial evasion came to light in early October, according to the company.

The customer – whose annual smartcard entitled him to travel between Drogheda and Balbriggan only – was issued with a penalty fare notice aboard a train outside that area.

Further investigation by Irish Rail’s Revenue Protection Unit revealed longer term misuse of the ticket. The ticket holder had been staying on the train between Drogheda and south Dublin throughout the year. 

He was issued with a bill for the outstanding debt of €5,544.25 — made up of the cost of single journeys for each day of ticket misuse.

According to Irish Rail, a total of 9,885 fixed penalty notices were issued in 2014, an increase of 30 per cent on the previous year.

A total of 356 cases have been successfully taken to the District Courts for those who did not pay the fixed penalty. Additionally, 1,2000 Department of Social Protection free travel passes were confiscated, due to misuse.

“Iarnród Éireann has boosted resources in Revenue Protection over the past 18 months, with additional personnel deployed in this area, supported by management –including Chief Executive David Franks – and back office staff,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“In addition, station blitzes have taken place, as well as coordinated checks involving all transport operators and the Department of Social Protection.”

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