Boat owner interviewed over periwinkle pickers left on island

A BOAT owner being investigated in connection with allegations that he left migrant workers overnight on an island said yesterday he believes that the case has been sorted out.

Brian Grew, a shellfish wholesaler from Annagassan in Co Louth, admitted gardaí and officials from the Department of Marine have spoken to him in connection with the incident.

Mr Grew said: “I was with the gardaí and I was with the Department of the Marine and I have nothing more to say. It has been sorted out.”

However, the Health and Safety Authority is still investigating the circumstances that led to the 13 Latvians, 11 men and two women, being left on Colt Island off Skerries in north Co Dublin. The workers, employed to pick periwinkles, were told by mobile phone the boat had broken down and they would have to stay overnight on the exposed island.

The coast guard was alerted after receiving a phone call stating the 13 were on the island. They were improperly clothed for the conditions and were huddled around a fire with little food when found.

While gardaí spoke to Mr Grew, they are not the lead agency in the investigation. The HSA is probing the possibility the workers’ safety was put at risk while marine officials are checking whether the boat owner was properly licensed to carry passengers.

In addition, the employment conditions of the workers are being checked by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. However, the separate investigations may be hampered by the fact that the Latvians appear reluctant to be interviewed.