Government seeks tenders to raise sunken trawlers

The Minister for Transport Martin Cullen is seeking tenders to raise two fishing vessels which sank off the southeast coast in the past year, it emerged this afternoon.

It follows a campaign by the families of seven fishermen who died when the Pere Charles and the Maggie B sank.

The bodies of the men have never been found, despite extensive search operations.

The Department of Transport is seeking proposals at European level to establish the cost and risk of raising the trawlers.

In the meantime, navy divers are to inspect the vessels to determine their condition.