Inbound to Blackrock from the east, it is clear that the intention is to land at Blackrock heliport. It is a straight in approach with a presumption of VFR conditions or at worst reduced viz. There is no scenario of approaching it from the ocean to the west. That may provide an explanation at least why this seems to be a very inadequate IMC procedure. It wasn't meant to be.
No, there was never any intent to land at Blackrock - why on earth would there be? Blackrock was 2 things - firstly a WP in the company letdown route to get to Blacksod and secondly a bloody great rock on the way to do so. The fact that they were overlaid on a procedure without any clear indication of the threat is the real issue here.
Al-bert - agreed, you and I both know that it would not have happened in a SK letdown because we had a dedicated radar operator rather than an over-tasked co-pilot to stop us bumping into things.