Famine ship's US tour abandoned for second year

The £12m Jeannie Johnston replica famine ship has cancelled a voyage to the US for the second year running.

The board met today and decided it would be too late to undertake a tour of North America because of problems with technical systems.

It is the latest setback for the replica ship which has been plagued by delays and cost over-runs.

Minister for the Marine, Frank Fahey, said he is disappointed with the developments and said he will be encouraging a constructive review of the vessel's future.