Stranded crew to receive €70,347 in back pay as ship sold

A SHIP stranded along with its crew in New Ross for almost two months was yesterday sold at auction, meaning the crew can finally be paid the thousands of euro withheld from them by its owners.

The 2,500-tonne freighter Lillian was detained in June after its cargo of steel was found to be badly corroded by sea water and the ship has also failed to meet basic safety standards.

When the International Transport Federation examined conditions on the ship it found the nine-man crew had not eaten properly for 21 days and were owed $96,000 (€70,347) in back pay.