Mussel firms’ €400k order for damages is overturned

An order requiring the State to pay €400,000 damages to two mussel-fishing firms over a ban on fishing for mussel seed in Castlemaine Harbour, Co Kerry, has been overturned by the Supreme Court by a 3-2 majority.

The judgments centred on how to address the State’s liability for actions which detrimentally affect private individuals.

Three years ago, the High Court awarded €125,000 damages to Cromane Seafoods Ltd and €275,000 to O’Sullivan McCarthy Mussel Development Ltd — related firms that have been involved in mussel fishing since 1979.