THREE DECADES may have passed but those who lost their lives in the Betelgeuse tragedy 30 years ago have been remembered in Bantry with great fondness.
Irish and French relatives of those who died when the oil tanker exploded at the offshore jetty at Whiddy Island in the early hours of January 8th, 1979, gathered yesterday for a special commemorative ceremony at the Abbey Cemetery outside the town.
In the lee of the giant granite memorial that bears the names of those who died and looking out on a now tranquil Bantry Bay, generations of bereaved were united in a gentle grief as they recalled the night of turmoil and terror that claimed their loved ones.
It fell to one of the younger visitors from France, Arthur Ravalau, whose grandfather Marcel was captain of the Betelgeuse, to read out the names of the French victims. Michael Kingston from Goleen, Co Cork, who lost his father, Tim, read the names of the others who died. Earlier, Mr Kingston welcomed the relatives to the Mass at St Finbarr’s Church where he read a message from President Mary McAleese.
Charlie Brennan, Tim Kingston, Denis O’Leary, Neilly O’Shea, Jimmy O’Sullivan, Liam Shanahan and David Warner, together with Englishman Mike Harris and Dutch diving supervisor Jaap Pols, were all remembered along with the 42 French crew of the Betelgeuse.
Marleyne Lassale from Marseilles, who was 22 at the time, lost both her parents in the tragedy. Her father Louis (54) was the ship’s baker and her mother, Marcelle (49) had travelled with him when tragedy struck.
“As a family we were unrooted in one blow – my sister, Marie Claude and I were left without roots,” Ms Lassale said as she looked out to sea. “I had no words to explain how I felt and I still have no words to explain, there is something missing in life, part of us is missing.”
Both the LE Emer and the French mine-hunter Cassiopée lay motionless in the bay as lone piper Donal Cronin played a lament. Wreaths were laid at the monument by the Co Cork mayor Noel Harrington and the Mayor of Bantry, Vivian O’Callaghan.
French ambassador Yvon Roe D’Albert paid tribute to the people of Bantry for remembering the tragedy and making so many of his compatriots feel so welcome.
Minister for State for Foreign Affairs Peter Power also praised the organisers.
Bishop of Cork and Ross Dr John Buckley led the relatives in prayers before the ceremony was brought to a close when Bantry native Seán Ó Sé sang a poignant Bantry Bay.