Many Cork Dublin trains where sold out yesterday so that could explain the upgrades not being available,
http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/...ew&news_id=287
Normally if you give Irish Rail notice even a few hours ahead that you will need assistance they will be waiting to help.
http://www.iarnrodeireann.ie/images/upload/news/296.pdf I've seen this in practice and it works and is surprisingly coordinated, upon boarding the staff confirm the destination, if its a driver only train tell the driver and then phone ahead
Each coach on a Mk4 has a wheelchair ramp, its in the wall opposite the toilet
Rule one is if you need assistance
ASK
Now while on train the train manager should have shifted someone out of the priority seats in a unresevered coach, again if they where asked this should have happened. Again the train manager would have arranged the ramp and wheelchair at the Heuston end if asked.
If a member of staff was asked for assistance directly and did not assist there is serious grounds for complaint