Dutch skipper of former "Atlantic Dawn" fails in appeal against conviction for breaching fishing regulations

A Dutch skipper has failed in his appeal against conviction for breaching EU fishing regulations in Irish waters. Gerrit Plug, aged 59, was found guilty by jury at Letterkenney Circuit Criminal Court of failing to record estimated discards exceeding 50 kilogrammes, discarding quota-subject species, and exceeding permitted measurements in water separator mechanisms aboard his vessel between November 22 and 25, 2011. He had pleaded not guilty to five counts, two of which were withdrawn. Judge John O'Hagan imposed a fine of €105,000 in March 2015. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Alan Mahon, dismissed Plug's appeal today, finding the trial properly conducted and the conviction sound. The vessel was detained at Killybegs following inspection by Sea Fisheries Protection Officers. The Director of Public Prosecutions has separately applied for sentence review, contending the penalty was unduly lenient.