On January 8, 1979, French-owned oil tanker, Betelgeuse, caught fire and exploded at the Gulf Oil-operated terminal jetty at Whiddy Island in Bantry Bay, Co Cork
Volunteers with the Kilkee Coast Guard unit briefed senior officials on their concerns over plummeting personnel numbers just three days before the tragedy that claimed the live of Caitriona Lucas, in inquest into her death has heard.