Case No. 2269Breach of EU fishing regulations (fishing offences) · Co. Cork · 16 Feb 2025
Dutch supertrawler captain charged with seven fishing offences in Cork
William Van Der Boon, 40, a Dutch national and captain of the German-registered supertrawler Helen Mary, was charged with seven offences for alleged breaches of EU fishing regulations within Ireland's exclusive fisheries limits. He was remanded on bail at Cork District Court to the next sitting of Cork Circuit Criminal Court on 28 April 2025.
- Reported17 Feb
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged20 Feb
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe German supertrawler Helen Mary was detained off the Cork coast on suspicion of fisheries offences. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe ship was escorted to Cork Harbour on Monday. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe ship is 117 metres from bow to stern. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe ship will remain in Cork for the duration of the inspection. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe captain of a factory supertrawler was charged with seven fishing offences off the Irish coast. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAll seven charges relate to alleged breach of EU fishing regulations within the exclusive fisheries limits of the State. (irishtimes.com)
- whatOne summary offence was failing to comply with the direction of a Sea Fisheries Protection officer on 16 February. (irishtimes.com)
- whatSix indictable offences included failure to provide a boarding ladder and documentary offences. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe Helen Mary is a 116 metre German-registered supertrawler owned by Oberdank Hochsee Fisherei of Sassnitz-Neu Mukran in Germany. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe alleged offences took place in waters around 185 km off the coast of Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe ship was outside the Irish territorial waters limit of 22 km but inside the exclusive economic zone of 320 km. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe ship's home port is in Rostock, Germany. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe accused was charged at Lisheen Berth, Tivoli Docks in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe ship arrived in Cork at around 11 am on Monday. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe Helen Mary was detained by a patrol vessel from the European Fisheries Control Agency on Sunday. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe ship was spotted by the Ocean Protector, a patrol vessel of the European Fisheries Control Agency, on Sunday. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationEFCA officials are conducting an inspection with the assistance of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and Gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationEuropean Union inspectors are leading the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGarda Dermot Broughton of Mayfield Garda station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused was remanded on bail to the next sitting of Cork Circuit Criminal Court on 28 April 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe owners of the Helen Mary agreed to lodge a €425,000 cash bond to allow the vessel to be released. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Dutch master made no reply to any of the charges when charged. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Feb2025Dutch master charged with fishing offences off Irish coast
First report of the charging and remand of the Dutch supertrawler captain on seven fishing offences, including boarding ladder and documentary charges, with a €425,000 bond agreed for the vessel's release.
accused, William Van Der Boon, 40, male, Dutch, named, non-irishWilliam Van Der Boon - 17 Feb2025Huge German ship detained in Irish controlled waters over suspected offences
Initial report of the detention of the Helen Mary by EFCA; the ship was escorted to Cork Harbour for inspection. No individual has been charged in this article.