Lusitania owner granted access to secrets
Gregg Bemis, the ship’s legal owner, won a High Court challenge against a State decision refusing him a licence for a research expedition on the wreck.
He plans to raise $3 million (€2.5m) for dive expeditions and the completion of a documentary on the shipwreck.
Mr Bemis said yesterday he remained convinced that the liner, which sank off the Cork coast in 1915 with the loss of 1,195 passengers and crew, was carrying war munitions.
Claiming the US and British administrations had maintained a cover-up for 90 years, Mr Bemis said history shows that the ship was hit by a torpedo from a German submarine. However, he said mystery surrounded the cause of a fatal blast an estimated 18 minutes later.
“I believe evidence will show the U-boat was justified in attacking the ship. The Germans knew exactly what was on board as they had infiltrated the dock workers’ union in the US,” he says.
Welcoming the court’s decision, the 77-year-old businessman said: “I feel like a 17-year-old all over again. I’m tremendously overjoyed.”
Mr Bemis paid tribute to his legal team, headed by solicitor Richard Martin of Ronan Daly Jermyn, Cork. “My team of lawyers were very patient, long suffering and did a great job, especially Mr Martin,” he said.
Mr Justice Daniel Herbert yesterday ruled the decision of the Department for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, that an excavation licence should have been sought by Mr Bemis under a section of the National Monuments Act, was based on a misinterpretation of the legislation.
The judge said the State’s refusal had been “irrational and unreasonable”.
Mr Justice Herbert also found that the State had the right to acquire remains from the vessel for research or public education - but only by purchase from or voluntary donation by Mr Bemis.
Mr Justice Herbert found that the department, while claiming to be helpful, had in fact become wholly formalistic and negative.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
