Tag Archives: fisheries officer
Three Mayo Men Convicted Over ‘Very Serious’ Illegal Fishing Incident in July 2020
Three Mayo men have been convicted of false imprisonment, assault and obstruction as they attempted to evade fisheries officers from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) at Belderrig Pier on the North Mayo coast two years ago. At a sitting of Ballina District Court on 12 July this year, Judge Fiona Lydon also convicted the men of possessing illegally caught wild Atlantic salmon and nets, in charges brought by IFI. The charges of false imprisonment were brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The court heard evidence from Lonan O’Farrell, an inspector with IFI that on the evening of 15 July 2020, the men were approached by fisheries officers as they recovered their boat at Belderrig Pier. The fisheries officers suspected that the men had illegally caught wild Atlantic salmon and illegal gill nets on board but were obstructed and assaulted when they lawfully attempted to board the vessel. >click to read< 16:01
Woody Point fish plant and owner acquitted of illegal fishing
In a directed verdict released on Wednesday, Todd Young and 3Ts Ltd. were acquitted of fishing for Atlantic halibut without a licence. Young is part owner of the 3Ts fish plant, which is based in Woody Point. The case was heard by Judge Wayne Gorman in provincial court in Corner Brook on May 18 and 28. At the conclusion of the Crown’s case, counsel for Young and 3Ts applied for a directed verdict. The request meant Gorman had to determine whether the evidence, if believed, could reasonably support the inference of guilt the Crown had sought to draw. In his written decision, Gorman said he concluded it did not and the application should be granted, and he acquitted both accused of the charge against them. >click to read<10:23
