Now more than ever there is a need for an independent inquiry into the sinking of Pat O’Donnell’s boat the Iona Isle, according to Independent councillor Catherine Connolly.
Councillor Connolly tabled a motion last June calling for the Galway City Council to call on the Government to set up an independent investigation into the sinking of the fishing vessel off the coast of Erris Head as a matter of urgency.
That motion was finally discussed at a special meeting of the city council recently and was passed by a majority vote.
Cllr Connolly believes it is “significant” that the skipper, Pat O’Donnell, was “one of the few fishermen who refused to buy into the agreement with oil company Shell” and continued to fish in the waters of Broadhaven Bay.
“That his boat could be sunk in the manner it was without a single question posed by the Government and/or Department of the Marine indicates the depths to which our Government has sunk,” she said.
She also said the comments of the recently retired Chief Superintendent Tony McNamara, who policed the protests up to last year, are “of significance”.
“In his parting comments,” said Cllr Connolly, “the superintendent said the problem is rooted in a ‘fundamental breakdown in trust...Eventually dialogue will have to provide the solution to the Corrib Gas dilemma’. The setting up an independent inquiry into the sinking of the ship would be one positive step in restoring that confidence.”
