Wednesday 28 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. 5527Sea-fisheries offences (exceeding prawn catch quotas and under-reporting catch) · Co. Louth

Louth man fined for overfishing prawns and under-reporting catch

Gerald Sharkey, from Clogherhead, Co Louth, pleaded guilty at Dundalk Circuit Court to sea-fisheries offences involving fishing 200 per cent more Nephrops prawns than quotas allowed. He was fined €20,000 and ordered to forfeit €10,000 from the value of the catch.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced5 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGerald Sharkey pleaded guilty to sea-fisheries offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatSharkey fished 200 per cent more high-value prawns than quotas allowed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatSharkey under-reported the catch. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereSharkey is from Clogherhead. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place in an area where prawn stocks are vulnerable. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe fishing took place in regulated fishing grounds known as FU16. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority inspected the boat in May and June 2017. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority found evidence that large quantities of catch were recorded outside the regulated area. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceSharkey was fined €20,000 for the offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceSharkey was ordered to forfeit €10,000 from the value of the catch. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceSharkey must pay a total of €30,000. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe court described the breach as a serious offence. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Jul2024
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Louth man ordered to pay out €30,000 for overfishing high-value prawns

    Court outcome: guilty plea at Dundalk Circuit Court, €20,000 fine and €10,000 forfeiture, total €30,000. The offences relate to inspections by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority in May and June 2017.

    convicted, Gerald Sharkey, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerald Sharkey