Troubled famine ship thrown a final lifeline

A FINAL lifeline was yesterday thrown to the crisis-ridden Jeanie Johnston when yet another rescue package this time put forward by Kerry Group was accepted by Kerry County Council.

The 600,000 euro initiative will help keep the project afloat until the end of October at least and should enable the ship which has cost 16m euro, including 10m euro from the taxpayer undertake a long-awaited transatlantic voyage next year.

The county council and Tralee Town Council, which are set to lose up to 6m on the Jeanie Johnston project, will now contribute a further 200,000 euro between them, with Kerry Group also putting in 200,000 euro.