Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
1220. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of a pending report on the circumstances surrounding an incident on the LÉ Cliona in May 1962; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10510/16]
View answerIn light of a number of representations and parliamentary questions received in relation to the incident on board the LÉ Cliona on 29 May 1962, my predecessor, Minister Coveney requested that the Chief of Staff have the circumstances surrounding the incident reviewed. A Board was duly convened by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) on 13 October 2015.
The Board’s report recommended that Lieutenant O'Mahony, Able Stoker Mynes and two others, Chief E.R.A. Egan and Chief Stoker O’Callaghan, be presented with a letter/scroll of Commendation (posthumously in the case of Chief Stoker O’Callaghan) for their brave and decisive actions in bringing the fire on board the LÉ Cliona under control. The report also recommended that the ship’s company should be publically acknowledged particularly for the team effort made in ensuring the safe return of the ship to port, once the fire had been brought under control.
Following consideration of the report, Minister Coveney accepted the report’s recommendations and, to this end, it is intended to hold a ceremony in Haulbowline Naval Base at which the scrolls of commendation will be presented and a plaque will be unveiled in acknowledgment of the team effort of the ship’s company in relation to the incident.
