Lorna Siggins
Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Search and Rescue: True stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116 (2022); Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004); and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010). She is also co-producer with Sarah Blake of the Doc on One "Miracle in Galway Bay" which recently won a Celtic Media Award
EU Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly Calls on EU Fisheries Council to be More Transparent with Quota Documentation
30th October 2019 Fishing
European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has recommended that the EU fisheries council should “proactively” release documents on annual fishing quota negotiations into the public domain writes Lorna Siggins Ms O’Reilly has ruled that the documents should be made public at the same…
The EU has permitted the Irish government to introduce legislation restricting use of plastic microbeads to protect marine wildlife and the environment writes Lorna Siggins. Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy confirmed the European Commission’s clearance last…
Giant “fire sculptures”, a community dinner, jazz lunch and a walk to Omey island are among activities planned for Conamara Sea Week’s programme based in and around the Quaker village of Letterfrack. Ecologist Gordon D’Arcy is participating in a schools…
Relatives Express Delight at Award for Donegal Fishermen, 63 years After Rescue of 18 people
17th October 2019 Rescue
The relatives of a Fermanagh woman who was one of 18 people rescued by two Donegal fishermen have expressed delight that the men are to receive national bravery awards – all of 63 years after the event writes Lorna Siggins James…
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has confirmed that it is liaising with several flag states over a collision off the Kerry coast last weekend writes Lorna Siggins One fisherman was injured in the massive impact, which smashed in the bow…
Two Donegal brothers are to receive national bravery awards next week for their rescue of 18 people from two vessels which got into difficulty off Portnoo - all of 63 years ago writes Lorna Siggins. Retired fishermen James and Michael…
Fastnet 1979 Irish Survivors' Reunion Remembers Those Who Died & Pays Tribute to Rescue Agencies
12th October 2019 Fastnet
When an “explosion of a storm” tore its way through the Fastnet yacht race off the Irish coast 40 years ago, there were those among the survivors who could not speak about the experience for years writes Lorna Siggins However, over…
Coastwatch Appeals for Volunteers Over Spring Tide Period as Survey Extended
11th October 2019 Marine Wildlife
Coastwatch is appealing for volunteers over the Spring tide period to participate in its annual coastal survey which has been extended to October 21st writes Lorna Siggins Recent stormy weather and heavy rain have curtailed this year’s effort, and Coastwatch coordinator…
Tánaiste Simon Coveney has paid tribute to outgoing Marine Institute chief executive Dr Peter Heffernan for the “phenomenal impact” he has had on Irish and international scientific research writes Lorna Siggins. Dr Heffernan has been a “trailblazer, demanding political attention”,…
Wild Brown Trout Genome Sequencing Will Give Further Insight into "Superpower" Status, Queen's University Belfast Scientist Predicts
8th October 2019 Marine Science
If there is one species to survive climate breakdown or transfer to a new planet, it is very likely to be the wild brown trout. Humans may think they have “superpowers”, but the trout (Salmo Trutta) beats us all, according…
Sea Fisheries Officer Made Protected Disclosure to Marine Minister on Legal Advice
6th October 2019 SFPA
A State sea fisheries officer made a protected disclosure over its levels of regulation to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and members of an Oireachtas committee last year. The whistleblower, an officer with the Sea Fisheries Protection…
Round World Yachtsman Damian Foxall Leading Sailing Expeditions to Antarctica
5th October 2019 Cruising
Two centuries after the “white continent” was recorded officially for the first time by an expedition led by Irishman Edward Bransfield, Kerry round-the-world offshore racer Damian Foxall plans to explore Antarctica by sail. Kerry-born Foxall will be accompanied on his…
33-Hour Survival in Liferaft at Sea After Wartime Air Crash Remembered in North Connemara
30th September 2019 News Update
An epic rescue of five north American naval crew who survived 33 hours in a liferaft has been marked on the 75th anniversary of the incident in north Connemara writes Lorna Siggins. Five of their fellow crew died when a…
Lack of Communication Delayed Alerting Emergency Services When Kayaker Trapped in Kerry River, MCIB Report States
25th September 2019 MCIB
An inquiry into the death of an experienced kayaker on a Kerry river last year has found that the lack of communication at the scene delayed call to the emergency services writes Lorna Siggins Brita Waters (36) from Baldoyle, Dublin,…
Minister for Marine Michael Creed has been forced to close the Celtic Sea herring fishery due to a virtual collapse of the multi-million euro stock writes Lorna Siggins The closure order, which has not yet been released publicly, was issued…
Irish authorities are still detaining a cargo ship close to Kinvara in south Galway Bay after its hull sprang a leak while loading cargo for the Bahamas writes Lorna Siggins As Afloat reported previously, the 30m ship Evora was detained last…
Aviation First Across Atlantic Corridor With Drone Doctor Flight to Aran Islands
16th September 2019 Island News
An aviation “first” has been recorded on the Atlantic corridor between Connemara and the Aran Islands with the delivery of medication by a drone writes Lorna Siggins The Wingcopter 178 Heavy Lift drone flew diabetes prescription medications and a collection of…
Ship Holed at South Galway Pier Detained by Irish Authorities as Residents Fear Pollution Risk
13th September 2019 Ports & Shipping
Irish authorities have detained a cargo ship close to Kinvara in south Galway bay after its hull sprang a leak while loading cargo for the Bahamas writes Lorna Siggins The 30m ship Evora has been detained by the Marine Survey…
Navy Diver on Migrant Rescue Among Seven Recipients of Defence Forces Value Awards
11th September 2019 Navy
A Naval Service diver who was involved in migrant rescue in the Mediterranean is one of seven recipients of Defence Forces value awards conferred by President Michael D Higgins on Wednesday evening writes Lorna Siggins Able Mechanician Ryan O’Driscoll, originally…
MCIB Report Warns of Danger of Modifying Vessels & Changing Engines Without Proper Evaluation
6th September 2019 MCIB
An investigation into the death of a man in a small boat sinking off Connemara last year has found that he had purchased substantial safety equipment, almost none of which was on board at the time of the fatal incident writes…
