Naval Service's handling of fishing tragedy criticised

The Naval Service has indicated to the family of the missing Co Wexford fishing vessel skipper that the boat may be a crime scene, it was claimed in the Dáil.

Seán Crowe (SF, Dublin South-West) told the House that naval personnel believed they had found the vessel Rising Sun and had put a one-mile exclusion zone in place.

Deputy Crowe also said that naval personnel had threatened criminal prosecution if anyone breached the exclusion zone around the vessel, which sank on Tuesday off the Wexford coast.

"The Navy is causing great hurt to the family of the missing skipper Mr Pat Colfer by telling them that divers are not to go down and search the sunken vessel for his remains. The Navy has indicated that it may be Sunday before divers are sent down," the Sinn Féin TD said.

Mr Crowe said that he had been told "the Navy has telephoned local divers instructing them not to go near the wreckage. The senior naval person on the scene showed great discourtesy and lack of sympathy to the brother of Mr Colfer when he attempted to discuss the situation with him."

Speaking yesterday during the debate on the controversial Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill, Mr Crowe said that the Minister for Defence "must intervene and ensure that the Navy does not hinder attempts to commence the search of the sunken vessel for the remains of the lost fisherman. This is a humanitarian request from a family which has been devastated by this tragedy."

Ian Tierney from Kilmore Quay, and Jimmy Meyler from Slade, the two fishermen on the Rising Sun were picked up on Tuesday night after the vessel sank, but Mr Meyler, a father of three, died shortly afterwards.