Courts / Cork / Report

Dutch factory ship skipper appeals conviction for breaching fishing laws

Summary

The skipper of the Dutch factory ship Wiron 5, Klass Meijvogel, is awaiting the outcome of an appeal against his conviction for breaching Irish fishing regulations. On 11 February 2015 the ship, which was caught and processed pelagic fish, was boarded by the Irish Naval Service. Meijvogel was found guilty by a 10‑2 jury and fined €344,960 for the value of the catch and €55,000 for the value of the gear. He pleaded not guilty, arguing that the equipment on board was installed in a manner that complied with Article 19 of the regulations, which requires undersized marine organisms to be returned immediately to the sea. His counsel, Paul Burns SC, said the case hinged on the interpretation of contradictory regulatory requirements and that no photos were presented as evidence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dutch factory ship skipper appeals conviction for breaching fishing laws. Charges or matters: having equipment on board the Wiron 5 vessel that was capable of returning fish to sea on February 11, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• February 11, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 27, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-07-27 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

Related court reports

• Mentally ill man who put fellow psychiatric patient in chokehold to be immediately released into care of UK parents
• 'Alternative dispute resolution': man arranged 'straightener' during which dad-of-seven was stabbed to death
• Brothers who sexually assaulted teenage girls in mid-nineties can now be identified for first time
• ESB worker too late to pursue claim seeking €42k in alleged unpaid overtime
• 'No hand, act or part': Osgur Breatnach's wrongful conviction for Sallins train robbery declared a miscarriage of justice
• Migrant engineer who worked 10-hour days for under minimum wage wins €14k

Read the original CNI report