Union: Vessel detained in New Ross has structural defects

A container vessel, registered in the tiny central American state of Belize, has been detained in New Ross, Co Wexford.

Union officials said it had serious structural defects and that seawater had badly corroded its steel cargo.

The International Transport Federation said the Russian crew of nine, who joined the ship in April, were being paid well below standard rates.

They said the men were "afraid to speak out" and that concerns about the state of the vessel were raised by an Irish customer.