ECJ rules marine casualty body is not independent

The sunset over the pier during the 40th anniversary of the Betelgeuse disaster at the Whiddy Island pier in Bantry, Co Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

THE European Court of Justice has ruled the State’s marine incident investigating body is not independent due to the presence of two civil servants on its board.

In a judgment issued late last week, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) said the Marine Casualty Investigation Board’s (MCIB) independence is “not guaranteed” and has awarded costs against Ireland.