Chris Royle
When touring Southern Ireland last year and questioning why we had to file VFR flight plans, we were told that following a similar sort of accident to this had led to ALL flights in Southern Ireland require a flight plan.
VFR Flight Plan only required in flying in Class C , entering/leaving a CTR, crossing the border to N.I. or flying across water i.e. U.K.
If you were flying say from Trim EITM / Abbbeyshrule EIAB lets say to Killkenny EIKL you would contact Dublin or Shannon and let them know you / what and where your going but no flight plan required.
sad news , i visited Oban last year and have to say its in a very beautiful part of the world.