Person: Michael Kingston

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>The explosion and resulting fireball from the Betelgeuse oil tanker killed 50 people, both on the ship and on the nearby Gulf Oil jetty. Picture: Richard Mills/Irish Examiner</p>

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Whiddy Island disaster: After 45 years families might finally get answers and justice

On January 8, 1979, French-owned oil tanker, Betelgeuse, caught fire and exploded at the Gulf Oil-operated terminal jetty at Whiddy Island in Bantry Bay, Co Cork

<p>Families of those who lost loved ones in the Whiddy Island disaster 44 years ago are urging the Government to order fresh inquests and a public inquiry. Picture: Andy Gibson</p>

munster

Families urge fresh Whiddy Island disaster inquests

<p>The Defence Forces have already expressed concerns about the lack of maritime security or situation awareness in Ireland that allowed the derelict 77m MV Alta to pass through Ireland’s maritime domain before grounding on the shoreline east of Cork Harbour in February 2020. Picture: Safehaven Marine</p>

munster

Satellite detections show 'near miss' between oil tanker and Ballycotton ghost ship

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Son of Whiddy victim criticises Gardaí for not pursuing misconduct investigation

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Ireland's marine accident investigator branded 'not fit for purpose'

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Judge defers decision on Titanic salvage mission

Titanic salvage mission should be stopped say Irish maritime experts

International maritime experts from Cork have urged a judge to consider the many Irish victims of the Titanic still entombed onboard as a US salvage company seeks to enter the wreckage.

Wed, 19 Feb, 2020

Son of Whiddy Island victim says Irish maritime safety structures 'fundamentally broken'

The son of one of the 50 people who died in the Whiddy Island disaster has had a meeting with high ranking gardai, claiming Ireland's maritime safety structures are "fundamentally broken".

Wed, 08 Jan, 2020

Whiddy disaster relatives applying to High Court to rectify death certs

The relatives of 50 persons who died in the Whiddy Island Disaster are applying to the High Court for rectification of the victims’ death certificates.

Fri, 02 Aug, 2019

Whiddy Island: Concerns about marine safety passed directly to Taoiseach

The organiser of the recent 40th anniversary commemoration of the Whiddy island disaster is expecting a response from the Taoiseach after concerns about marine safety were passed directly to Leo Varadkar.

Wed, 23 Jan, 2019

Call on Taoiseach to issue public apology over Whiddy Island disaster

The Taoiseach should issue a public apology to families of the victims of the Whiddy Island disaster and those deaths should be ruled unlawful an organiser of events to mark 40 years since the tragedy said in remarks which drew a standing ovation from those gathered.

Wed, 09 Jan, 2019

Whiddy Island disaster: ‘It is something that has never gone away’

The memorial event also served to highlight the simmering sense of injustice felt by many, writes Noel Baker.

Wed, 09 Jan, 2019

Goleen coast guard volunteers to get keys to US city

Irish Coast Guard volunteers are set to get the keys to a US city after marching in its St Patrick’s Day Parade this weekend.

Fri, 16 Mar, 2018

Irishman witnesses ‘utter tragedy’ on Westminster bridge

An Irishman who narrowly escaped being directly caught up in Wednesday’s terror attack in London says he was thinking of the crew of Rescue 116 helicopter when he came onto the scene on Westminster Bridge.

Fri, 24 Mar, 2017

Rugby fans: ‘Like losing a member of my own family’

“It’s like losing a member of my own family.”

Tue, 18 Oct, 2016

Gyllenhaal signs up for Let it Snow

Jake Gyllenhaal has joined the cast of 'Let it Snow'.

Tue, 04 Nov, 2014

Still one of our worst maritime tragedies

The Whiddy Island oil terminal disaster almost 36 years ago still ranks as one of Ireland’s worst marine tragedies.

Sat, 04 Oct, 2014

Award dedicated to Whiddy victim

A high-flying Irish lawyer named global maritime lawyer of the year has dedicated the award to his father who lost his life in the Whiddy Island disaster.

Sat, 04 Oct, 2014

Rugby heroes inspire the nation

I WRITE from London to pay tribute to a wonderful Irish rugby team, a group of players that gave hope, not for the first time this year to Ireland, and showed us that everything is achievable if you believe in what you are doing.

Mon, 17 Oct, 2011

No signs, no salt, no gardaí ... fatal consequences of lethargy at the top

THE authorities’ inadequate response to icy roads in recent weeks amounts to negligence on their part.

Wed, 06 Jan, 2010

Ceremonies remember loved ones killed in oil disaster

A WOMAN who lost both her parents when the oil tanker Betelgeuse blew up in Bantry harbour spoke publicly for the first time about her family’s grief yesterday — exactly 30 years after Ireland’s biggest peacetime maritime disaster.

Fri, 09 Jan, 2009

An Taisce aids death of rural communities

I WOULD like to compliment Michael Kingston on his letter (Irish Examiner, July 24) about An Taisce.

Wed, 02 Aug, 2006