The Celtic League have written to the Irish government urging it to comply with the wishes of the families of those who died in a double fishing vessel tragedy in the south Irish sea in January.
Relatives of those lost on the MFVs Pere Charles and Honeydew 11 have been urging the Irish government to raise the vessels. However, as of last week, the government were continuing to prevaricate over the issue.
The League have contrasted the attitude of the Irish government with the stance taken by the Manx government some years ago which made an immediate pledge after the Solway Harvester tragedy to raise the vessel so that accurate investigation into the tragedy could be carried out.
The correspondence to An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern is set out below:
"An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern Government Buildings Kildare Street Dublin 2 Ireland
19/04/07
Dear Mr Ahern,
Can I express my concern and anger about the Irish governments prevarication over raising the wrecks of the MFVs Pere Charles and Honeydew11 which sank off the south east coast in January.
I understand that it is the wish of the families of those who died in these tragedies that the vessels should be raised. I would contrast the rather mean-spirited attitude of the Irish government in relation to this issue with the decision the Isle of Man government took some years ago when a Scottish fishing vessel (the MFV Solway Harvester) sank off the Isle of Man.
Despite the costs to a small community the Isle of Man government not only ensued that the bodies of those who died were recovered but pledged to raise the vessel to establish accurately the cause of the sinking.
I would urge the Irish government to review its decision and comply with the families wishes in this matter.
Yours sincerely"
J B Moffatt Secretary General Celtic League
21/04/07
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