Govt can’t stop toxic ships sailing into Ireland

The Minister for the Marine says he has been assured a flotilla of toxic 'ghost ships' which are set to sail near Ireland are safe.

An American court has ruled in favour of allowing four former US Navy warships be towed across the Atlantic to England where they will be scrapped.

Environmentalists are threatening to block the passage of the ships, which are contaminated with asbestos and other deadly chemicals.

Minister Dermot Ahern says there is nothing the Government can do as the ships will be entering Irish waters.