SIPTU has denied that the current industrial dispute affecting the East Link toll bridge on the Liffey contributed to last weekend's collision between a yacht and a ship in Dublin Bay.
A family friend of two of the four sailors who died in the collision with a ship in Dublin Bay said the accident might have been averted if the East Link bridge had not been the subject of an industrial dispute.
However, Dublin Port has confirmed that the bridge was closed from 4 p.m. on Saturday to 10 a.m. on Sunday to facilitate St Patrick's festival restrictions.
A friend of the Styles family who did not wish to be named said yesterday that the family was "very angry and upset" and wanted to highlight this aspect of the tragedy. The Debonair had booked a berth upriver at the Dublin city moorings, west of the East Link, on Saturday to watch the St Patrick's Skyfest.
The yacht was unable to take up the berth and stay overnight, as the East Link bridge was closed to river traffic. The Debonair tied up at the Poolbeg yacht club but the crew decided to leave early and head home, finding it difficult to sleep on board.
It is understood that a sixth person on the yacht took a taxi home around midnight.
The Malahide yacht owned by Mr Mark Styles was heading out of the Liffey mouth when it collided with an incoming merchant vessel, the Bluebird, just before 3 a.m. on Sunday. Four of the five crew on board died. One crew member, Mr Philip Daly, survived.
Dublin Port has said it cannot comment on any matter that might be pertinent to the official inquiries.
The funerals of three of the four who died - Mr Mark Styles, Mr Roan Smith and Ms Eleanor Cullen - will take place today and tomorrow, while the search continues for the body of Mr Glen Styles, brother of Mark.
