10-11-2021

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DUNDALK’S FREE NEWSPAPER Farmers’ anger over climate change plan Page 4

Naughton Scholarship award for Mark Page 6

Graduation Day at DkIT Page 8

Wednesday, 10th November, 2021. Vol. 14, Issue 45 • 63 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Crash report gives closure to families

Tel: 042 9320888. Fax: 042 9329676. Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com

By Paul Byrne

Human error was not to blame for the tragic R116 helicopter crash off the North Mayo coast in March 2017. The crash led to the deaths of Dundalk native, Captain Mark Duffy, Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, winch operator Paul Ormsby and winchman Ciaran Smith. The fourperson crew were en route from Dublin to Blacksod in Co. Mayo to refuel when the incident occurred. The verdict of why the crash happened was delivered in a 350-page report which was published by the Air Accident Investigation Unit. The report said the probable cause of the crash was due to the helicopter’s crew being unaware that there was a 282ft obstacle on their flight path as they flew along a pre-programmed route on the night of the crash. According to the report there were “serious and important weaknesses” with the flight operator’s safety management system. A total of Continued on Page 2

Transition year students from St Louis are producing ‘Science Week Live!’, a live-streamed show highlighting the astounding array of activities taking place across Ireland during Science Week 2021 (7-14th November). Above: Lauren-Amy McCreesh with science communicator Niamh Shaw.


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