Relatives of those who died on the Pisces, the fishing vessel which sank 1½ miles off the Wexford coast in July drowning five people, have received a preliminary report on the tragedy from the Marine Casualties Investigation Board.
The families of the five now have 28 days to consider the draft report and make submissions to the board before it presents its findings to the Minister for the Marine, Communications and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern.
The youngest victim of the tragedy was 14-year-old Mark Doyle, whose father, Mr Séamus Doyle, and grandfather, Mr Jim Cooney, also died. The other victims were Mr John Cullen and Mr Martin Roche. All were from New Ross, except Mr Roche, who lived in Galbally, near Enniscorthy.
Five survivors of the accident, which occurred during an angling trip from Fethard-on-Sea, were treated at Wexford General Hospital. These included the skipper of the Pisces, Mr Paddy Barden.
It emerged shortly after the tragedy that angling boats such as the Pisces were exempt from general regulations requiring vessels to carry life-jackets for all passengers.
Comprehensive new safety regulations have been drawn up, but are not due to come into force until June of next year. Breaches of the regulation are punishable by fines and/or terms of imprisonment.
The inquest into the five deaths was adjourned at New Ross courthouse on September 25th to allow for the completion of the investigation by the Marine Casualties Investigation Board.
Garda Supt Tom Saunderson, of New Ross, told the inquest: "The investigation into the sinking of the Pisces is not complete.
"The Department of the Marine findings and report on the examination of the boat are not yet available."