RSF-Limerick: Call for more port inspections
Media Information From…………
Joe Lynch, Vice-Chairman, Munster RSF Executive
16 Beechgrove Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston Limerick
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CALL FOR MORE PORT INSPECTIONS
The detention of a foreign registered ship in Cork where
the crew were paid only seventy cents an hour has very
serious implications for illegal drugs importations,
a spokesman for Republican Sinn Fein said today.
Joe Lynch from Ballinacurra Weston in Limerick, the
vice-chairman of the Munster RSF Executive said that
lowly paid crew are vulnerable to unscrupulous dealers
who often use them to ferry drugs into Ireland.
Because they are not paid a living wage, some crew
succumb to temptation and act as drug couriers on
foreign ships.
All over the world there are crew in prisons because
of the drug trade and Ireland is no different. Both the
International Transport Federation’s Ken Fleming and
Siptu are to be commended for this latest detection
and as a former bosun with Irish Shipping I now urge
Inspectors be appointed to some of the smaller ports
such as Foynes in the Shannon Estuary.
While this vessel seemed to be carrying undeclared
cargo and it has been impounded, the serious aspect
is the low rates of pay for the crew and officers of
these foreign registered and owned ships.
By failing to tackle the problem of sub standard foreign
ships, the maritime authorities are condemning many
crew to lives of what can only be described as misery
akin to Dickensian times.
(Ends)
Issued on Sunday 20th April 2008
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For more information contact Joe Lynch on (061) 311457
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