Ferry service rescue bid given more time

FUNDRAISERS in Ireland and Wales have been given a new deadline of March 10 to come up with a shortfall in the e3 million needed to relaunch the Cork-Swansea ferry service.

A Finnish bank, which is prepared to bankroll most of the cash to purchase a new ferry, said yesterday it was prepared to give the fundraising effort further time. West Cork Tourism has now reportedly raised e2.6m and is hoping that more pledges from Cork, Kerry and south Wales will enable it to meet the target within the new deadline.

Conor Buckley, chairman of West Cork Tourism, said he was relieved the bank had extended its deadline.