The MV Linda is to be rechristened the Rachel Corrie on Wednesday, May 12th, at 10am in Dundalk Port, in honour of the 23 year old American peace activist who was killed during a non-violent protest to stop Israeli forces bulldozing the home of Palestinian family in Gaza, in 2003.
Afterwards the vessel will set out on its voyage to Cyprus where it will join other vessels in bringing urgently needed medical, educational and construction supplies to the people of the Gaza strip.
Background: The 1,800 tonne vessel was purchased by the Free Gaza Campaign for €70,000 at an auction in the Crown Plaza hotel, Dundalk, on March 30th. The proceeds from the sale were used to pay arrears owed to the, mainly Ukrainian, crew who were abandoned by the ship’s owners at Dundalk Port last July.
The vessel was seized and auctioned by order of the High Court following an application by International Transport Federation inspector, and SIPTU official, Ken Fleming.
Today Mr Fleming said the ITF “welcomes the fact that the mv Rachel Corrie will be put to a better, more humanitarian use than the exploitation of sea-farers. The Irish Government must do more to stop the exploitation of sea-farers coming into our ports.
“Meanwhile I will be there on Wednesday, on behalf of the ITF and SIPTU to wish the new owners God speed”.
