A specially-built giant concrete-and-steel box designed to siphon oil away was being brought into use today as a short-term solution to bottling up the disastrous oil spill threatening sea life and livelihoods along the Gulf Coast of America.

FOUR marine officers who barricaded themselves inside the control room of the Isle of Inishmore in Pembroke finally emerged last night, bringing the bitter Irish Ferries dispute to a conclusion.

Four Irish Ferries workers staging a 17-day lock-in on one of the firm’s ships today thanked the tens of thousands of protesters who marched during yesterday’s national day of protest.

Dublin port workers tonight voted to support Irish Ferries staff fighting attempts to replace them with cheaper foreign labour, by refusing to handle any of the firm’s ships.

MARINE engineer John Curry says the thought of leaving the engine room of Irish Ferries’ ship Inishmore frightens him.

THE tense stand-off at Irish Ferries showed no sign of abating last night despite widespread condemnation of the company’s heavy handed tactics.

Cork 0-10 Meath 1-4