Minister unhappy with delayed return of nephew’s body

DEFENCE Minister Willie O’Dea, mourning the loss of a nephew in a drowning tragedy, said his family’s grief was being compounded by the delay in the release of the body by the Spanish authorities.

Basil Bourke, 21, from Hospital, Co Limerick, went missing from a disco boat on the island resort of Ibiza where he was holidaying with friends.

An only son, his mother Mary is a sister of Mr O’Dea. Mrs Bourke and her husband John have two older daughters, Caroline, who works with Reuters in London, and Lillian who is a teacher.