Cruise ship death sparks campaign

The parents and friends of the 15-year-old Dublin girl who died after falling from a cruise ship off the coast of Mexico in January have started a campaign to improve legal protection for passengers while travelling in international waters.

Lynsey O'Brien, from Fortfield Avenue, Terenure, fell from the deck of the Costa Magica ship on the early hours of January 5th. Despite an air and sea search, her body has not been recovered.

It has since emerged the former pupil of Loreto High School Beaufort in Rathfarnham had been served at least 10 alcoholic drinks by bar staff on board, although the company's passenger charter states it does not serve alcohol to minors.

Neither the bar staff nor the Italy-based Costa Crociere company, which owns the liner, can be prosecuted as the alcohol was served at sea and outside the jurisdiction of any state.

Catherine Coller, spokeswoman for the the Justice for Lynsey campaign, described as unbelievable the fact that "no one will be held responsible for Lynsey's death".

Lynsey's parents, Paul and Sandra, who have instigated the campaign, said there was a human rights issue involved and they called for laws to safeguard passengers' rights.

Ms Coller said: "Paul and Sandra do not want any sort of compensation. They have been offered $50,000 by the cruise liner, but have turned this offer down. They just want justice so this never has to happen again to another family."

The campaign is running an online petition and is asking people to e-mail the phrase "I want justice for Lynsey O'Brien", with their own name to  justiceforlynsey@yahoo.ie