Safety talks see Cargo sailings resume

Following talks over a dispute on safety between Galway County Council, the Inish Mór harbour master Paddy McDonagh and the state subsided ferry operator O’Brien Shipping, cargo sailings have resumed between the Aran Islands and Galway.

On Thursday last, Mr McDonagh had refused the ferry permission to land at Kilronan pier on the Aran Island of Inish Mor on the grounds of health and safety.

The ferry operates a service to the island three times a week from the docks in Galway and Mr Bill O’Brien, director of O’Brien Shipping stated that the company’s safety record was ‘impeccable’ and he questioned the authority of the harbourmaster to stop the ferry from docking.

Galway County Council organised a meeting between all parties concerned and a statement issued declared that all problems had been resolved and both parties would cooperate with each other fully.
An audit on State subsidised ferry services between Galway and the Aran Islands by the Controller and Auditor General found a number of flaws in the agreement with O’Brien Shipping and this resulted in last week’s refusal to dock.