Poor weather delays sinking of infamous smuggling ship in Killala Bay

THE sinking of a smuggling ship in Killala Bay to create Ireland’s first artificial reef has been delayed due to a poor weather forecast.

The infamous smuggling ship, MV Shingle is currently in dry dock in New Ross Harbour but unfavourable weather conditions mean that the timeline for towing it to Killala Bay has been delayed.

It had been hoped that the ship, which is currently in the possession of the Revenue Commissioners, would be in Mayo for the weekend after the final planning condition was met with the completion of an Underwater Archaeological Impact Assessment of the site in Killala Bay.

However, unfavourable weather conditions for the coming week will mean the MV Shingle will remain in New Ross until conditions improve to allow the ship to be towed.

Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef Ltd, which is made up of a group of diving enthusiasts, were granted permission to sink the ship in July to create Ireland’s first artificial reef for diving.

The MV Shingle was seized in 2014 after customs officers discovered 32 million packets of cigarettes worth €13 million on board the 60 metre long vessel. The ship was due to be scrapped but it was identified as a possible ship for sinking and the Revenue Commissioners agreed to make it available.

Cllr Michael Loftus, who is involved in Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef Ltd, said that the engine and any potential pollutants has been taken out of the ship and it will be environmentally safe to sink it.

Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef Ltd have invested up to €35,000 of their own money into the project and they have also received €50,000 in funding from Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) towards it.

Cllr Loftus said that he is excited at the prospect of the MV Shingle arriving to north Mayo and believes it will be economically beneficial for the area for years to come.

“This will be a tourist attraction which will be there for the next 50 years and will benefit both fishing and diving and will be an attraction. We can see it being used for research also over the years and we are looking forward to it,” he said.