'No response' over Solway inquest

Richard Gidney's manslaughter trial collapsed

The owner of a fishing trawler which sank with the loss of seven lives, has not responded to demands for him to attend an inquest, a coroner said.

Last month Isle of Man Coroner Michael Moyle postponed the hearing into the Solway Harvester tragedy because of the unavailability of owner Richard Gidney.

It sank in stormy seas off the Manx coast in January 2000.

The fisherman who died in the storm all came from the village of the Isle of Whithorn, in Dumfries and Galloway.

The inquests on Skipper Craig Mills, 29, Robin Mills, 33, David Mills, 17, Martin Milligan, 26, John Murphy, 22, David Lyons, 18, and Wesley Jolly, 17, was delayed last month.

It emerged that Mr Gidney, of Gatehouse of Fleet, Scotland, did not want to attend because he received legal advice that it may "prejudice a civil claim".

In a statement, Mr Moyle said: "I can confirm that there has been no response from Mr Gidney."

It is understood that efforts are under way to compel Mr Gidney to give his evidence under oath in Scotland.

Mr Gidney's manslaughter trial collapsed last year when a court found he had no case to answer.

A new date for the inquest has yet to be finalised.