Asbestos exposure fears grow for naval workers

Workers at the naval dockyard in Haulbowline, Co Cork, have hit out at management for drip-feeding information on the potential exposure to asbestos.

The criticism comes after the Irish Examiner revealed that more than 150 Naval Service personnel and civilian workers could have come in contact with asbestos as the crisis deepens over the extent of exposure to the life-threatening substance. Half the fleet has now been affected after it emerged that a fourth ship, the LÉ Eithne, is tied up amid concern that there is asbestos onboard.

Civilian workers at the dockyard have said the transparency promised by management has not been seen and they are not being afforded the same treatment as naval personnel.