A former Moldovan registered ship that was smuggling cigarettes but was seized by the Revenue Commissioners a decade ago was sunk in Killala Bay in north Mayo yesterday.
The 669 gross registered ton ship, the MV Shingle, was intercepted by customs officers in the summer of 2014, when heading from Slovenia towards Drogheda Port in Co. Louth.
On board the 60m all white-painted vessel were 32 million illegal cigarettes worth €14m, however, Revenue Commissioners custom cutters escorted the ship to Dublin Port to carry out further investigations. After legal proceedings, the Revenue took control of the vessel, which remained in port but was subsequently shifted between several berths before finally departing the capital earlier this year.
The Shingle, having gone to New Ross Boatyard, was towed recently to Killala Bay and yesterday afternoon was dropped around 30 metres to become an artificial reef, the first of its kind in Ireland according to RTE News.
Prior to the sinking, asbestos and pollutants were removed from the 42 year old vessel which was re-registered to the port of Dublin. Plans are afoot to make the artificial reef into an international tourist attraction for divers in addition for visitors exploring this part of the Wild Atlantic Way.
More here on the sinking of the ship which took place some 4 kms out in the bay.
