Three Athlone staff members honoured at Irish Rail customer experience awards

Three Athlone-based members of staff have received 'highly commended' accolades at the annual Iarnród Éireann Customer Experience Excellence Awards in Dublin.

The honours were presented to Michael Lupton and Damien Moroney from Athlone station, and to Catherine Joyce, Infrastructure Asset Manager in Athlone, at the awards which took place last week at the Aviva Stadium.

Irish Rail said the awards, which are now in their fourth year, "recognise those who deliver the highest level of customer experience to rail customers and colleagues across the network". They were presented by Iarnród Éireann chief executive Mary Considine.

Michael Lupton and Damien Moroney were both highly commended in the 'station staff' category.

"Across the Iarnród Éireann station network, station teams give the first and last impression to customers on any given journey, and are integral to customer service," the transport company said.

"Michael Lupton was recognised for his reliable contribution and for consistently assisting customers and colleagues with care and professionalism.

"Damien Moroney was nominated for always going the extra mile, and because he kept customers informed, and reassured vulnerable passengers, during disruption."

The nomination for Catherine Joyce was in the 'infrastructure excellence' category. Irish Rail said that, while staff working in infrastructure were "not directly customer-facing" they did provide the foundations to "ensure that Iarnród Éireann can provide excellent customer care".

Their role "turns complex requests into practical solutions, making colleagues' work easier and helping customer-facing teams deliver effectively".

Nearby, at Roscommon train station, Cathal Donnelly and Basil McGann were 'highly commended' in an 'initiative of the year' category which "recognises the initiatives and innovations that help bring customer experience to a different level".

Cathal and Basil were commended for "creating colourful flower displays that made the station more welcoming and locally distinctive".