Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 11257Sea fisheries offence (landing herring caught in a restricted sea area) · Co. Donegal

Donegal fishing vessel Master sent forward for trial over herring landings

Patrick McLoone, a man from Donegal, has been charged with landing herring caught in a restricted sea area, as Master of the Irish sea fishing vessel Conquest. The sources do not give the incident date. The book of evidence was served at Glenties District Court in late January 2026, where he was not prepared to plead guilty. Judge Emile Daly returned him for trial to Donegal Circuit Court, with bail granted on the same terms, and he was earlier charged with a similar offence on six dates in January 2024. The latest development is that he was sent forward to the next sitting of Donegal Circuit Court, commencing in June 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court30 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Patrick McLoone is accused of landing herring caught in a restricted sea area.
Where
The case concerns a Donegal fishing vessel, and the District Court hearing was held at Glenties District Court.
When
  • The sources do not give the incident date.
  • One article is dated 30 January 2026 and another is dated 1 February 2026 as its publication date.
Charges
McLoone was charged as Master of the Irish sea fishing vessel Conquest under section 13(16) of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006.
Investigation
A Garda gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on McLoone.
In court
  • A signed plea option was available from the DPP, but McLoone was not prepared to plead guilty.
  • The DPP directed that the matter proceed to the Circuit Court, and Judge Emile Daly returned McLoone for trial to Donegal Circuit Court.
  • McLoone was sent forward to the next sitting of Donegal Circuit Court, commencing in June 2026.
Other details
  • McLoone was previously charged with a similar offence on six separate dates in January 2024.
  • Bail was granted on the same terms.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPatrick McLoone is accused of landing herring caught in a restricted sea area. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationA Garda gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on McLoone. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMcLoone was charged as Master of the Irish sea fishing vessel Conquest under section 13(16) of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMcLoone appeared before Glenties District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtA signed plea option was available from the DPP, but McLoone was not prepared to plead guilty. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that the matter proceed to the Circuit Court for trial. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMcLoone was sent forward to the next sitting of Donegal Circuit Court, commencing in June 2026. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Emile Daly returned McLoone for trial to Donegal Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMcLoone was previously charged with a similar offence on six separate dates in January 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherBail was granted on the same terms. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jan2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal fishing vessel Master faces Circuit Court trial over herring landings

    Reports the District Court book of evidence service and sending forward for trial at Donegal Circuit Court, sitting from June 2026. Also notes earlier similar charges for six dates in January 2024.

    accused, Patrick McLoone, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McLoone