People Before Profit Cllr Maeve O’Neill said,
“Derry has become used to neglect by official bodies. But the actions of Translink bosses in relation to the all-Ireland Derry v Galway semi-final on Saturday will be felt by many as a deliberate insult rather than a mere accident.
“The fact that Translink’s “special” Derry train will in fact be travelling from Belfast just rubs it in.
“If Galway fans were told that a special train had been put on for them for the match – but that it would travel from Limerick, there’d be ructions.
“Whatever the reasons for this decision, Translink are in dereliction of their duty to the second city of the North. It must be immediately addressed.
“This is a test of Translink’s commitment to Derry – decades overdue. It also emphasises the urgency
of dealing with the Clanmill Housing proposals to build on the former and future rail track to Strabane and onwards to Dublin.
“People Before Profit has been fighting for a proper rail service for Derry for many years now. Recently we have been joined in this campaign by other people and other parties. The magnificent campaign work of Into the West has kept the issue in the public and political mind.
“It should now be full steam ahead for a proper Derry-Dublin train service.”