Greencastle boat theft: Man convicted in major drug-smuggling case
Scottish man charged over alleged theft of a fishing vessel in Inishowen faces sentence of ‘ten years plus’ in the UK
A Scottish man convicted of serious charges in the UK over an alleged international drugs smuggling conspiracy is unlikely to return to Ireland for at least another decade, a Donegal court has heard.
David Paterson, of Viking Way, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, is charged under Section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 in connection with the alleged theft of a fishing vessel at Greencastle Pier on November 22, 2024.
The 49-year-old is accused of handling stolen property, namely the nine-metre fishing vessel ‘Linda Louise’, knowing it was stolen or being reckless as to whether it was stolen.
The vessel was seized by Gardaí during an operation at Greencastle harbour.
The latest proceedings came before Buncrana District Court on Thursday, September 10, when Mr Paterson’s solicitor, Patsy Gallagher, updated the court on his client’s circumstances.
Mr Gallagher told Judge Ciaran Liddy that his client is currently on remand in the UK pending sentencing after being found guilty of serious cocaine-smuggling conspiracy charges.
The July 2026 conviction followed an international investigation.
“I have to inform the court that my client is currently on remand for sentencing in the UK,” Mr Gallagher said.
“The State is aware of this; it’s quite a serious matter. It appears he won’t be back in this jurisdiction for at least ten-plus years.”
Mr Gallagher confirmed that there would be no application for bail in relation to the Inishowen proceedings and indicated that Mr Paterson would ultimately be sent forward to the Circuit Court.
The Buncrana case was adjourned to Letterkenny District Court for a video-link appearance on September 16, when the possible service of the Book of Evidence is expected to be considered.