The family of missing Co Wexford fisherman Pat Colfer has welcomed the decision by Minister of State for the Marine Pat the Cope Gallagher to order the salvage of Mr Colfer's fishing boat, the Rising Sun, from the seabed off the Saltee islands.
"It will bring an end to things. We hope it will at any rate," said Charlie Colfer, the missing skipper's brother, yesterday after he had been contacted by Mr Gallagher. The Minister said the task would be put to tender by his officials, and it is expected work will begin in the next two to three weeks, weather permitting.
The Irish Lights vessel Granuaile, hired to support Naval Service divers in their search, is equipped to carry out the salvage as it has a 20-tonne crane. It retrieved the angling boat Pisces when it sank off Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford, with 10 people in late July 2002.
However, salvage companies are also expected to tender for the work, which will require diver assistance in some 50m (164ft) of water.
The Minister said last week he had been informed by Naval Service divers there was no sign of a body on the vessel, and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) did not require salvage for its inquiry.
However, Mr Colfer's family made a direct plea to him to sanction the salvage on humanitarian grounds, as a continued shore and sea search for Mr Colfer's body proved unsuccessful.
The Colfer family was supported by the families of the two men who also lost their lives as a result of the sinking: Jimmy Meyler, of Ballyhack, one of three crew on the Rising Sun, who was rescued with colleague Ian Tierney but died later in hospital; and New Ross diver Billy O'Connor, who was returning from an inspection of the boat two days after its sinking when he got into difficulty.
Mr O'Connor's body was recovered by Naval Service divers more than a week ago, some 20 metres from the vessel. Mr Gallagher said it was not a decision he had taken lightly, but he felt there were a number of compelling arguments put forward as a result of a meeting between the families and his officials in Wexford on Monday.
"Coming from a coastal community, I know only too well the heartache and grief such tragedies can cause to families and loved ones," he said yesterday, speaking from Brussels.
He understood that the particular circumstances of this case were unusual, and he recognised that the families desired "some form of closure to the matter".
Mr Gallagher paid tribute to the work undertaken by the Irish Coast Guard and Naval Service as the incident unfolded.
"Their job is a difficult one at the best of times, and I am justifiably proud of the dedication and effort," he said.
He also paid tribute to local volunteers who had provided invaluable assistance.