Boating tragedy survivor suspended over logo row

THE sole survivor of a boating tragedy in which four fishery officers died has been suspended without pay by his fishery board employers.

Michael Fanning Jnr, 40, and two colleagues in the Lismore/Fermoy district have been suspended by the Southern Regional Fisheries Board (SRFB) after refusing to drive vehicles displaying the board’s logo. The workers say they are in danger of being assaulted by poachers who are targeting vehicles with the logo.

The other suspended officers are Fanning’s younger brother Mark who is the board’s health and safety officer, and Michael Bowes who, ironically, was awarded a bronze medal for bravery last year. The workers fears for their personal safety, but the fishery board says there are no valid grounds to suggest that there is a risk to staff.