Kieran Mulvey appointed to mediate in Doolin Coast Guard dispute

Kieran Mulvey has agreed to assist in mediating a dispute within the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard, following a number of resignations in the unit over interpersonal issues.

The Co Clare unit was stood down from search and rescue services earlier this month, after six volunteers involved resigned from their roles.

The Department of Transport, which oversees the Coast Guard, confirmed on Wednesday that Mr Mulvey, the former director general of the Workplace Relations Commission, “has agreed to assist in mediation with the Doolin Coast Guard”.

A department spokeswoman said “it is important that we now give space and allow this process to take place with a view to getting the unit back up and running”.

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The string of resignations arose following growing interpersonal disputes in recent years in the unit, as well as grievances with Coast Guard management.

Tensions within the Coast Guard between management and grassroots volunteers and officers has become an increasing problem for the organisation in recent years.

The Doolin unit was hit in 2016 by the loss of their colleague Caitríona Lucas, who died tragically while involved in a search for a missing man in Kilkee.

That incident, a subsequent Marine Casualty Investigation Board report into her death that was critical of safety management systems and the subsequent reaction of the Irish Coast Guard are said to have contributed to growing tensions within the organisation in recent years.

‘Disharmony’

Senior officials from the Coast Guard and the department are to appear before an Oireachtas committee on transport on Thursday.

Deirdre O'Keeffe, assistant secretary general in the department, is expected to tell the Oireachtas committee that the recent "disharmony" within the Doolin unit was being addressed.

The Coast Guard’s head office and local management had been “working tirelessly to address the problems experienced in this unit, and will continue to do so, with a view to restoring the service in the area as quickly as possible”, she will say.

Ms O’Keeffe is to tell politicians that mediation is being set up for those involved with the unit “on an urgent basis”, according to her opening statement.

Eugene Clonan, acting Coast Guard director, is expected to outline that rescue units responded to 2,636 incidents last year.

Loss of life

In 391 cases, the Coast Guard believed it had provided assistance that prevented the loss of life or serious injury to people, he is to tell the committee.

Mr Clonan is expected to state that tragic accidents in recent years had been difficult for the organisation.

"We mourn the loss of close and valued colleagues and friends. I would like to take this opportunity to extend again our sympathy to the families of R116 and Bernard Lucas and family. We are also compelled to honour their memories by delivering a world-class search and rescue, maritime casualty, and pollution response service," he is to state.