Stranded crew allowed to go home to Philippines

THE Filipino crew of a stranded freight ship finally flew home yesterday after a month long saga which saw them stuck in Ireland over Christmas.

The crew of the Dutch-registered ship, the Elwood, have been stranded in Ireland since the authorities here detained the vessel at Greenore port, Co Louth, when a safety inspection uncovered substandard conditions on board.

The vessel was subsequently allowed to move to Dublin.