Use of teargas raised in ferry standoff last December (2004)

national | worker & community struggles and protests | other press Sunday November 27, 2005 00:10 by R. Isible

(c) Irish Independent -- Gerald Flynn

Irish Independent reports that a previous occupation of the MV Normandy led to the consideration of using teargas. Plainclothes security personnel are rumoured to have boarded the vessel prepared and equipped to use teargas. This report by Gerald Flynn paints the taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, in a positive light and refrains from pointing out that the oul bollocks hasn't done anything except talk bollocks.

(c) Irish Independent, Nov 26 2005, Gerald Flynn -- Industrial Correspondent

SENIOR management at Irish Ferries considered the possibility of using tear gas on crew members.

The option was raised at a meeting as one of a range of extreme measures.

Personnel chief Alf McGrath said the use of tear gas was raised when its MV Normandy was taken over by ships' officers last December, but was not sanctioned.

He also said that its use on the Isle of Inishmore was ruled out for the moment.

Last night four crew members remained locked in the engine control room with no end to the standoff in sight.

It also emerged that security squads on at least two of its ships in Wales were disguised as ordinary passengers.

Many were carrying bags, raising fears that these contained tear gas, pepperdust usage or stun guns for use on board.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern trenchantly criticised the company last night. He said that its attitude was anathema to everything he had worked for over 20 years.

Irish Ferries were "trying to turn back the clock" and should even now reconsider their actions.

Mr McGrath claimed that the management had previously considered use of tear gas but had ruled it out.