A WATERFORD fisherman has appeared in a Donegal court, charged with overfishing and failing to cooperate with fisheries protection officers.
A judge imposed a monetary bond of €136, 878 on the operators of the fishing vessel called Saltees Quest.
The vessel, which is owned by the O’Flaherty Brothers of Kilmore Quay, had the bond imposed as a security pending the criminal trial of the skipper Jonathan Kenny, 1 Chestnut Grove, Waterford. alleged offences of illegal fishing.
He was arrested at Greencastle Pier.
It is alleged that beam trawls and nets of 80mm dimension were used and it is also alleged there was an attempt to obstruct the Sea Fisheries protection officers at the subsequent landing inspection on December 13.
State Solicitor Ciaran Liddy told the court Kenny chose to remain silent when the charges were put to him.
Mr Liddy told the court that the allegations related to fishing in an area where cod was at a depleted level.
He said the obstruction charge was “unusual” – saying it reflected “the level of seriousness in this case.”
Garda Eamonn Ward, from Moville Garda Station, alleged the Kenny had
- Refused to let SFPA officers on board.
- Failed to have a stowage plan for Monkfish
- Was fishing for cod in a depleted area.
Judge Paul Kelly remanded Kenny on his own bond of €5,000 to the Circuit Court on January 28.
He set the bail bond on the boat as requested in Statute – a combination of factors, said Mr Liddy, including the €21,000 estimated worth of the seized catch.
Judge Kelly set the bail as requested, telling Mr Kenny: “It’s a matter for you or the owners if you wish to appeal this to another court.”
