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AER LINGUS HAS said this evening it “sincerely apologises” after a passenger’s luggage – containing the ashes of his deceased parents – was lost in transit.
However, the luggage has since been located and arrangements are being made to transport them to Ireland.
Speaking to RTÉ Radio One’s Drivetime programme, Bob Gilmour described arriving in Dublin on Saturday to find the luggage gone ahead of a planned funeral ceremony for his parents tomorrow.
Gilmour’s parents were originally from Ballymena and Birmingham, respectively, and emigrated to Australia in 1967. Prior to their deaths, they expressed a wish to have their ashes scattered on their family graves in their home countries.
After coming to Dublin via Milan, Gilmour said two bags that were checked in hadn’t been seen since.
“We’ve had zero success,” he told Mary Wilson on the RTÉ show, adding that the process of filling out forms online and waiting for a response so far had been “less than useless”.
He said: “The whole process seems to be that once you’ve filled out your paperwork, go away and don’t annoy us until you get your bags back.”
Gilmour – who spent the first 11 years in Ballymena – said that the ceremony would still go ahead tomorrow, with or without the ashes.
In a statement to the programme, Aer Lingus apologised and added: “We recognise the sensitivities of this particular situation and are working with all the parties involved to retrieve the baggage as quickly as we can.”
In an update this evening, Aer Lingus said the luggage had been found and would be transported as soon as possible.
A spokesperson said: “Aer Lingus can confirm that the missing baggage has been located in Milan Malpensa Airport. Regrettably it was not loaded onto the Aer Lingus flight by the baggage handlers at Malpensa Airport.
The baggage will now arrive overnight into Dublin Airport where it will be immediately transported to the family. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.
Gilmour had said he’s been making jokes about the whole situation.
“Mum and dad decided to elope again,” he said. “Or they’re on a world tour while they’ve still got a chance.”
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Frankly, the man himself is to blame. If it’s that important to him he should have put it in his hand luggage or sent it by courier.
@Orpuk Jones: would you put someone’s ashes in your carry on luggage ? Asking for a friend
@MAX POWER: Only if they are the ashes of a loved one. Not if they belong to a stranger or a victim
@Orpuk Jones: The airline would probably charge for the extra person..
@Tweety McTweeter: you’d probably dhd them
@MAX POWER: Yup. We did. Both parents. Undertaker gives you a cert explaining contents if anyone should ask in security.
@MAX POWER: i Did in a container..and it went through..no liquid is the law..not ashes..I did it twice..both times to be scattered in old trafford ..did that too.and left photos of both my relatives in the tunnel .bejind pipes..all is possible..husband and mother…def sacred ground now..and went on aer lingus….
@MAX POWER: i Did in a container..and it went through..no liquid is the law..not ashes..I did it twice..both times to be scattered in old trafford ..did that too.and left photos of both my relatives in the tunnel . Behind pipes..all is possible..husband and mother…def sacred ground now..and went on aer lingus….
@Tweety McTweeter: Victim? Of what???
No news, private matter
@ConPhoto: Perhaps. But he was still happy to discuss the issue on national radio.
Upsetting for the family but it’s not like Aer Lingus knew and did it on purpose. Hopefully it all gets sorted ASAP. It only takes one idiot or an accident to mess up the system.
@Sean Ryan: all’s well that ends well and no doubt they’ll have a laugh about it now
Honestly, why is this news ? Sean Murray go back to your roots and be a proper journalist will you ?
Disgraceful
@MAX POWER: according to Richard Harris interviewed before he died Malachi and Frank Mc Court left their mothers ashes in a bar in JFK airport
Angela’s ashes were in a biscuit tin and having had a few jars forgot about the tin
The tin was never found.
Disgraceful but a great story .
Now that’s a slow news day…..
Just wondering why Aer Lingus are getting the blame and there is no mention of whatever airline they flew from Australia? It sounds more like they are the ones who didn’t transfer the baggage properly to the Aer Lingus flight, not Aer Lingus losing it. Fair play for getting it sorted quickly though. Well done Aer Lingus.
He’ll be fine when the dust settles. Ash Wednesday for him tomorrow
Ashes don’t fly Aer Lingus
Ais-lingus
Many years ago a mans ashes were sent to Ireand by courier and were lost.
I found thenm in Spain, the wife of the person said “ah sure he loved Spain he got his chance to say goodbye” I loved her attitude. The lost it in London and a man fro Dublin fond it, She appreciated it.
Has Arlene bought them for cash?
OMG
It’s nice to know Aer Lingus now fly fro Australia
Ashes to ashes, f*€% up to f%$* up
Aer Lingus just swept under the fire place and threw it in an urn!
Could be that England and Australia were competing got the Ashes!!!
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