Uncle and nephew’s death on fishing trip down to ‘failings in Department’, claim family
THE heartbroken family of an uncle and nephew who died after their boat sank off Co. Donegal have blamed the Department of Transport for their deaths.
Gerry Doherty, 63, and Thomas Weir, 16, died when their boat sank off Malin Head in July 2018 after they had gone on a fishing trip.
There were emotional scenes at their inquests at Letterkenny Courthouse this week, where the jury reached a finding of accidental death.
However, coroner Dr Denis McCauley made several recommendations after hearing that almost no safety requirements, training or licences are required for an estimated 60,000 recreational boat owners around the country at present.
Speaking after the inquests
‘Unhappy with the report’
ended, Donna Marie Keenan, daughter of the late Gerry Doherty, spoke on behalf of the Doherty family.
They claimed it is clear that there have been ‘monumental failings’ by the Department of Transport that led to the death of their beloved relatives.
‘We are appalled that the Marine Casualty Investigation Board have not assisted the coroner’s inquest and did not turn up, either to help with the inquest, and as a mark of respect to us as families and to our beloved relatives that were lost,’ Ms Keenan said.
‘We would like to make it clear that we are fundamentally unhappy with the Marine Casualty Investigation Board report into the tragedy and thank the coroner for the diligent manner in which he has discovered further and such fundamental errors that took place on the day, in relation to the rescue, and in the approach to maritime safety by Ireland’s Department of Transport in the lead-up to the tragedy, that would have prevented it.
‘We are appalled that previous recommendations in relation to pleasure craft safety following much earlier tragedies were not highlighted as a departmental failing in the Marine Casualty Investigation Board report, nor acted upon by the Department of Transport.’
The family called on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to open a public inquiry into what they said were ‘unnecessary deaths in Ireland’s marine sector’.
They said: ‘We call on Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to initiate an immediate public inquiry into why unnecessary deaths have repeatedly occurred in Ireland’s maritime sector, including our beloved relatives.’
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board refused to send a representative to the inquest, saying its report covered all aspects of the investigation. However, this refusal was slated by the coroner.
Dr McCauley said: ‘The Marine Casualty Investigation Board in my view have shown a complete lack of empathy to the family and an arrogance about their report.
‘A failure to publicly present the report to the family in this way essentially makes the report, and unfortunately the board itself, in my view, practically redundant.’
The Doherty family thanked Dr McCauley, for what they termed the professional and dedicated manner in which he conducted the inquest. They also thanked the jury for their time and dedication and for their recommendations regarding maritime safety.
Ms Keenan, whose husband Dessie survived the tragedy, added: ‘Nothing can bring Thomas and my father Gerry back. They, along with my husband Dessie, were on an innocent fishing trip that so many other people in Ireland do so often. But thanks to this empathetic coroner and jury, very important recommendations have been made that will save further life across this nation.’
Speaking after the inquest, sole survivor Dessie Keenan thanked his family for all their support.
‘I don’t know how or why I survived. I never realised I was in the water so long. I don’t know how I found the strength to go on, but I am just glad I did,’ he said.
‘There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about what happened and about Gerry and Thomas. I want to thank my family for all they have done for me since this tragedy. Things will never be the same but we can hopefully begin to rebuild our lives after this.’