Master of fishing boat in court over catch

The master of a Dingle fishing vessel appeared in court in Killarney charged with log book offences in relation to a catch of hake unloaded in Dingle.

A detention order for the vessel owned by Dingle man Tom Kennedy, had been made at the weekend.

State solicitor Ed O’Sullivan appeared for the DPP yesterday and said that it was a case that would be heard on indictment. The book of evidence had been served and the DPP was consenting to trial.

John O’Connor aged 45, of Garfinny, Dingle master of the Irish Sea fishing boat Atlantic Fisher, is charged with failing to correctly fill in the logbook for hake caught in Irish waters on May 17, 2015. The boat was off-loaded in Dingle port.

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Garda James Cremin gave evidence of arrest, charge, and caution outside the courthouse and said Mr O’Connor made no reply to the charge.

Pat Diggin, solicitor for Mr Kennedy and Mr O’Connor, said the maximum fine in this case was €45,000.

Tom Kennedy, owner of the vessel, gave an undertaking to the court he had funds if the bond to that amount were to be called.

“The boat for which the detention order was made over the weekend can be released,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

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