Submarine suspected in trawler incident

Northern Ireland’s fisheries minister, Michelle O’Neill has called on the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) to clarify any involvement in an incident last week in which a trawler was snagged by a submarine in the Irish Sea.

Inspecting the damage to Karen B in Ardglass, Co Down, Minister O’Neill told Simon Wills, owner and skipper Paul Murphy, she was “deeply concerned” over the incident.

Northern Ireland’s fisheries minister, Michelle O’Neill, at Ardglass Harbour with skipper of the Karen B fishing trawler, Paul Murphy

“Lives were put at risk when the trawler was dragged  backwards. Safety at sea is paramount for the fishing industry. Our fishermen must not be exposed to these sort of incidents.”

Minister O’Neill has written to British Secretary of State, Elizabeth Truss to raise concerns and has requested a “full investigation and report” into the circumstances. “It was only for the quick actions of the crew there were no fatalities.”

Minister O’Neill added there are “clear guidelines” that must be adhered to in such circumstances. “In the case of Karen B,  those guidelines appear to have been flouted. Our fishermen have the right to know if a British submarine was involved or not,” she said.