Killybegs fisherman sent forward for trial for alleged under-recording of catch

A man has been sent forward for trial for allegedly under-recording the boat’s mackerel catch.

Thomas Doyle of Fintra, Killybegs was before Donegal District Court sitting in Ballyshannon on Monday, November 22.

Garda Michael Connolly gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on the defendant ahead of his court appearance.

The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed that the defendant be sent forward for trial to the next sitting of Donegal Circuit Court sitting in Letterkenny and commencing on December 9. 

It is alleged that on November 4, 2021, being the Master of the Irish Sea fishing boat Paula bearing port registration number D165, the defendant failed to accurately record fish caught and kept onboard, weighing above 50kg of live-weight equivalent, by the under-recording of catch of horse mackerel kept onboard.

The offence is a breach of Articles 14 & 15 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and is in contravention of Article 5 of the Sea-Fisheries (Community Control System) Regulations 2016 (Statutory Instrument No 54 of 2016) contrary to Section 14 of the Sea-fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. 

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham sent the defendant forward for trial on the single charge, noting the DPP directions and that the book of evidence had been served. 

The judge issued the standard alibi warning, telling Doyle that if he intended to rely on an alibi in his defence, he must notify the prosecutor in writing within 14 days.