A newspaper in Ireland, the Irish Independent, reports today on the death of Paul O’Brien, age 49, in an article "Dad of Tragic Cruise Teen is Found Dead."
Mr. O’Brien was the father of Lynsey O’Brien, who died at age 15 during a cruise aboard the Costa Magica in 2006. Costa bartenders served the child 10 drinks in a short period of time. According to a newspaper in Ireland, "in a period of 45 minutes his 15-year-old daughter was served 10 drinks in a bar on the cruise ship, two Sex on the Beach, four Woo Woos, two vodka and mixers, a shot of vodka and liqueurs."
The child fell off of her cabin’s balcony after trying to vomit overboard. Her body has never been found.
Lynsey’s case was the focus of a Congressional hearing in Washington D.C. in 2006 about cruise ship dangers. The hearing highlighted the out-of-control nature of drinking on cruise ships and the failure of the cruise line to have man overboard procedures.
The newspaper states that the cause of Mr. O’Brien’s death will be confirmed by an autopsy. The newspaper states that Mr. O’Brien "fought tirelessly for better safety on cruise ships." He released a book about his daughter’s death called Lynsey’s Law – Costa Coffin Cruise Ships.
You can watch a ABC News video about the incident below: