I understand you! I suppose it is a case of EI maximizing their resources at LHR. What I forgot to mention was that ORK-LGW is a new service for EI as well, and makes up for the capacity lost, in terms of seats anyway.
Originally the LGW-ORK was a 2 daily service, but the early morning departure didn't survive too long. I wonder if it was a case of EI going in too heavy, too soon? Interesting that the evening service survived in preference to the morning one, I would have thought an early service into Cork and out of London would have been useful?