Oil pollution catastrophe may have been averted

A HIGH-LEVEL report has revealed a major pollution catastrophe was possibly averted off the west coast of Ireland last year when an oil tanker was forced to divert to Donegal following a double tragedy on board.

The marine investigation has recommended the permanent position of an emergency towing vessel (ETV) and oil pollution response vessel on the western seaboard following the bizarre incident in January 2003.

At that time, the storm-lashed Princess Eva arrived in Killybegs to land two bodies after an on-deck accident.