Three Moroccan men were last night still on board a Cypriot registered bulk carrier in Cork harbour following an initial interview by gardai yesterday morning. It was still unclear last night whether the three men - all of whom are in their early 20s - plan to apply for political asylum if they come ashore at Ringaskiddy where the ship is berthed. The men boarded the bulk carrier, Archangelos Sea, at Casablanca in Morocco over a month ago when the ship was moored there en route from China with a cargo of manganese. They were discovered by the crew and taken into custody by the ship's captain, Capt James Ravelo, for the remainder of the voyage.
Capt Ravelo notified gardai when the ship arrived at the Ringaskiddy deepwater berth and gardai boarded the ship to interview the men.
According to a Garda spokesman, the men are remaining in the custody of the ship's captain for the moment but gardai are monitoring the situation closely.
The Archangelos Sea is due to leave Cork on Monday.