The company acknowledged that a significant number of older people were using their free travel passes as though they were hotel key cards. Although there have been complaints from commuters about the makeshift camps, Iarnrod Eireann pointed out that no law was being broken.

“We do not intend to provide extra carriages or services,” a spokesman said.

A catering trolley worker on the Sligo to Dublin line said the elderly residents were low maintenance and easy to please. “They drink a lot of tea,” he said, “and they tip generously. So far this year I have been left two houses and a cruiser on the Shannon.”