THE State is not opposing a US citizen's claim to ownership of the liner Lusitania, sunk by a German submarine in 1915. However, it is counterclaiming that it owns the cargo and especially any pictures which are part of the late Sir Hugh Lane's collection, the High Court was told yesterday.
The Admiralty Judge, Mr Justice Barr, fixed May 14th for the hearing of a claim by Mr F. Gregg Bemis, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a declaration that he is the sole owner of the wreck 11 miles off Cork.
The judge was told the English and US courts had decided the former liner was the property of Mr Bern is. He is currently appealing a US court decision refusing him ownership of the cargo.
Mr Justice Barr suggested that, if the State wished to apply to have its counter claim heard at the same time as Mr Bemis's claim for ownership, it should be done on April 30th.