Aid agencies with experience of hotspots such as Darfur say they are not sure what to expect when the entire population of the country starts drinking in Limerick at 6pm on Friday.

“This is different to any other emergency we’ve dealt with,” an aid worker said. “We know there will be hygiene issues and dietary concerns – apart from that we are in the dark.”

“The only thing we know for sure is that we’re going to need solpadeine and bog roll. Lots of bog roll,” he added.

“Transport is also a huge issue,” he continued. “Fortunately Iarnrod Eireann has recognised the problem and started a train service from Galway to Limerick.”

Limerick pubs have been granted a one-off licence to serve alcohol on Good Friday to cater for fans of the Munster v Leinster Magners league rugby match.

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.”