Conviction over boat equipment is upheld

The skipper and owners of a fishing boat, who were convicted and fined a total of €4,000 on charges partly related to out-of-date safety equipment on a trawler, failed in their application under the Probation of Offenders Act to have the convictions dismissed.

Judge David Riordan refused an application on appeal to Cork Circuit Appeals Court yesterday to give the accused the benefit of a dismissal under the act.

Barrister Cian Cotter said there was no question of the vessel not having the required safety equipment.