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Legal move in trawler inquest bid Legal move in trawler inquest bid
(about 2 hours later)
Legal efforts are continuing to allow a full coroner's inquest to take place into the sinking of the Solway Harvester almost eight years ago.Legal efforts are continuing to allow a full coroner's inquest to take place into the sinking of the Solway Harvester almost eight years ago.
The boat's owner, Richard Gidney, has been criticised for failing to attend an inquiry on the Isle of Man.The boat's owner, Richard Gidney, has been criticised for failing to attend an inquiry on the Isle of Man.
Attempts are being made through the Scottish courts to try to get him to give evidence to proceedings.Attempts are being made through the Scottish courts to try to get him to give evidence to proceedings.
The trawler sank off the Manx coast on 11 January 2000 with the loss of seven crew on the Kirkcudbright-based boat.The trawler sank off the Manx coast on 11 January 2000 with the loss of seven crew on the Kirkcudbright-based boat.
The Manx authorities have instructed Scottish lawyers to ask the High Court if Mr Gidney can be forced to give evidence either in person, or by other means.The Manx authorities have instructed Scottish lawyers to ask the High Court if Mr Gidney can be forced to give evidence either in person, or by other means.
VICTIMS OF THE SOLWAY HARVESTER SINKING Skipper Craig Mills, 29Robin Mills, 33, Craig's brotherDavid Mills, 17, Craig's cousinMartin Milligan, 26John Murphy, 22David Lyons, 18Wesley Jolly, 17VICTIMS OF THE SOLWAY HARVESTER SINKING Skipper Craig Mills, 29Robin Mills, 33, Craig's brotherDavid Mills, 17, Craig's cousinMartin Milligan, 26John Murphy, 22David Lyons, 18Wesley Jolly, 17
The Isle of Man government funded a £1m operation to raise the wreck and recover the bodies.The Isle of Man government funded a £1m operation to raise the wreck and recover the bodies.
Then, in 2005, the boat's owner Richard Gidney went on trial on the island for manslaughter but was acquitted when the judge ruled there was no case to answer.Then, in 2005, the boat's owner Richard Gidney went on trial on the island for manslaughter but was acquitted when the judge ruled there was no case to answer.
That still left the official inquest by Manx coroner Michael Moyle.That still left the official inquest by Manx coroner Michael Moyle.
It opened in November 2006 but Mr Gidney did not appear.It opened in November 2006 but Mr Gidney did not appear.
He was still absent when the inquest last sat nearly a year ago, prompting Mr Moyle to issue a strongly worded statement expressing "concern and displeasure".He was still absent when the inquest last sat nearly a year ago, prompting Mr Moyle to issue a strongly worded statement expressing "concern and displeasure".
Evidence required
He has now lodged an application with the courts to see if Mr Gidney can be forced to give evidence.
A spokesman for the Isle of Man's coroner's inquest said: "The coroner's inquest has made an application to the Scottish courts for assistance in obtaining the evidence we require.
"There was an issue with a particular witness not attending the inquest and the coroner wished for him to do so.
"The matter is now in the hands of the Scottish courts."
The fisherman who died on the boat all came from near the village of Isle of Whithorn, in Dumfries and Galloway.The fisherman who died on the boat all came from near the village of Isle of Whithorn, in Dumfries and Galloway.