Former smuggling vessel to be sunk off Co Mayo coast to create artificial reef for divers [Video]

A FORMER SMUGGLER’S ship will complete an unusual ten-year stint in Ireland when its tugged to the seabed off Co Mayo, where it will be sunk to create the country’s first artificial reef.

The MV Shingle was intercepted by authorities when it was used in an attempt to transport a shipment that led to the seizure of 32 million cigarettes and 4.5 tonnes of tobacco in 2014.

In May 2017, the High Court made an order for the forfeiture of the MV Shingle to the State.

Since then, it has mainly sat in storage as authorities tried to figure out what to do with the boat.

The ship is set to be scuttled tomorrow and used as a diving wreck off the West coast to form an artificial reef.

“We’re really looking forward to tomorrow. Between 3pm to 3.30pm tomorrow, we hope to see the MV Shingle at the bottom …