Translink are providing a Special train to take Derry supporters to the All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park on Saturday 9th July. 

Farcically, the organisation has decided that the train should start and end in Belfast - 30 miles from the Antrim/Derry border, 70 miles from Derry City and 52 miles from Coleraine. It makes no sense to offer a special train to Derry supporters that goes nowhere near County Derry and which stops in Lurgan, Portadown and Newry instead.

Special trains have run from Derry through to Dublin in the past (e.g. for the Pope's visit in 2018). And Translink provided a Specila train from Portadown last month for Armagh GAA supporters to attend their All-Ireland Quarter-final  There are no insurmountable technical reasons why the Special train for Derry supporters can't start in Derry city and stop at Coleraine on its way through to Dublin - even within the usual Saturday schedule. All that is lacking is the will from Translink to ensure that this can happen.

It is absurd that Translink think Derry supporters will accept a Special train service that goes nowhere near their county.

• We therefore demand that Translink start and end this service in Derry City, with stops in Coleraine & Bellarena (for supporters from Limavady).
• We call on the MLAs for Foyle and Causeway Coast & Glens to force Translink to agree as a matter of urgency.
• And we ask Translink to provide a promise that in future any special trains arranged to take sports fans from County Derry to major events in Dublin (e.g. All-Ireland GAA games, FAI Cup Finals) will start and end in the county.

The people of County Derry will not accept a second-class service from a transport company that appears unwilling to cater for life beyond Belfast.