December 2004 in Britain and Ireland

17 December 2004

The Reformed Formal Inquiry into the 1974 loss of the deep sea trawler FV Gaul concludes that she was lost because disposal chutes were left open during heavy weather. Relatives of the lost crew, however, remain convinced that there is more to the story, probably relating to her alleged (but dismissed by the inquiry) role in espionage.
Maxine Carr applies to the High Court for a Mary Bell order, that would prevent all reports (including word of mouth reports) identifying her or reporting her whereabouts or other personal details. (Daily Mirror)
Beatle George Harrison's guitar sells in New York for £294,000. (BBC)
Spain's main opposition party reacts angrily over plans by London and Madrid to give the Gibraltar Government influence over Gibraltar's future by having an equal say in meetings between the British and Spanish Governments. The first tripartate talks are planned for February 2005. (BBC) (Gibraltar Chronicle)
Three suspected IRA members who were accused of training rebels in Colombia flee while on bail. An appeals court overturned their earlier appeals yesterday. They had been sentenced to prison for 17 years. (BBC) (Ireland Online)