Five Pakistani crew members stranded on a ship in Dublin docks for the past 14 months fear they may not receive money they are owed after the vessel was sold this week.
The crew is owed a total of $150,000 (£129,000) in wages, but the ship was sold at auction on Thursday for only £85,000. As it was foreseen that any money owed would be paid out of the sale price, the crew fear they will receive only part of the money due to them.
The ship was abandoned in the docks at Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin 14 months ago. Since then a bosun and four crew members have been stranded there. The ship's captain went back to Pakistan recently.
Mr Tony Ayton, Irish representative of the International Transport Workers' Federation, affiliated to SIPTU, said he had spoken to the men on board yesterday.
"The crew are very upset, and all they want is to get their money and go home to their families," he said.
They felt a great deal of embarrassment and shame that they could go home to their families bringing only part of the money they are owed, he said.
It is believed the ship was sold this week to a Greek company. The matter then came before the Admiralty Marshal of the High Court to seek orders regarding the payment of the monies. The percentage of how much can be paid out of the sale price is being calculated.