Fishermen cleared of bringing in illegal workers

Two fishermen were cleared yesterday of charges to bring illegal migrant workers into Ireland to work on trawlers in what the State claimed was a “calculated scam”.

Leonard Hyde, aged 62, of Four Winds, Weavers Point, Crosshaven, Co Cork, and Pat O’Mahony, aged 51, of 69 Elton Wood, Kinsale, Co Cork, were accused of having no work permits for non-Irish staff and knowingly facilitating their entry into the State, contrary to the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000.

Judge Aingil Ní Chondúin, at Cork District Court, said the mindset of the accused was an important aspect of the case. Dismissing the charges, she said: “They face very serious charges before the court and if an element of doubt creeps in, it must be given to the accused. That is what I intend to do with the charges before the court.”