Lusitania fight cost taxpayers €344,000

THE Government’s reluctance to grant the owner of the Lusitania a licence to explore the wreck cost the taxpayer at least €340,000.

American Greg Bemis had applied for a licence from the Government in 2001 but was refused.

He subsequently fought a lengthy legal battle, seeking a judicial review and winning his case in the High Court in 2005, only to see the state appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.