Striking crew's fears that owner may abandon ship in Cork

The striking crew of a Latvian registered ship fear that the owners of the vessel may be about to abandon the ship and its workers in Cork.

Nine seafarers on board the MV Defender are pursuing the ships owners for $97,000 (€77,352) of wages that are owed to them.

The International Transport Federation is working to secure the payments due to the crew but says the company is now refusing to engage with the Union.

Ken Fleming of the ITF told Cork's RedFM that he is worried that the owners will abandon the ship and its crew.