Row over lack of dock insurance

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Saturday May 13, 2006 12:49 by Joe Lynch - Republican Sinn Fein lris at eircom dot net 16 Beechgrove Avenue, Limerick 061 311457

People turned away from French ship because of no insurance claim

Hundredss of families in the Mid West were disappointed at being turned away from visiting a French naval ship in the port of Limerick because of an insurance cock up

Media information from
Joe Lynch, Chairman, Republican Sinn Fein
16 Beechgrove Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick.
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For the attention of News Editor/Newsroom…..
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CALL FOR PROBE OF “NO INSURANCE” CLAIM

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea has come under fire in his
native Limerick over the fact that hundreds of people were
prevented from visiting a French naval vessel in Limerick Port.

Over two days the French ship and the Irish Navy’s LE Eithne
were open to the public for visits, but thousands were turned
away because Limerick Harbour did not have insurance.

“This type of carry on is an insult to the French,” said local
RSF chairman Joe Lynch from Ballinacurra Weston. “They
were on a courtesy call to Limerick accompanied by an Irish
ship and this type of bungling is akin to a navy farce.

“The Irish ship had been in Argentina and had been visited by
local people but when it docks in Limerick –the home port of the
26 County Defence Minister, Irish people are not allowed on
board to see the ships.

“The Minister must surely order a probe of why thousands of
people were turned away from visiting the vessels over the
holiday weekend.

“The excuse given was that the Limerick Harbour is not
covered by insurance – so the fault must lie with the Port
Authority company.

“It is time for Minister O’Dea to probe this affair which led
to thousands of children being disappointed at not being able
to inspect the French ship which was decorated for the occasion.

(Ends)
Issued on Friday 12th May 2006
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for confirmation please contact Joe Lynch, on (061) 311457
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