State Papers: Department said it was unable to oversee safety after West Cork ferry tragedy

Vincent Moriarty and his daughter Tracy were among the four people who died aboard the ill-fated ferry which sank on its way from Castletownbere to Bere Island on February 24, 1994. File picture

A Government minister admitted his department’s ability to oversee the safe operation of small passenger boats was “fully stretched” after an unlicensed ferry capsized off the coast of West Cork 30 years ago.

Declassified State papers released by the National Archives show that an urgent review of the operation of all coastal vessels was ordered following the tragedy.