Maritime lawyer whose father died in Whiddy tragedy warns State of possible legal action

An internationally-respected maritime lawyer, whose father died in the Whiddy Island oil tanker tragedy, has warned the State it could face legal action if the Government doesn’t adequately address fundamental justice and safety issues arising out of the disaster.

Michael Kingston, whose father, Tim, was one of 50 people who died when the Betelgeuse tanker caught fire and exploded as it was unloading crude oil at the Gulf Oil operation terminal at Whiddy in Bantry Bay early on January 8, 1979, followed through yesterday on his pledge at Tuesday’s 40th anniversary commemoration of the tragedy to write to all Oireachtas members about concerns the victims’ families still have four-decades on.