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. 8072Handling stolen property · Co. Donegal · 22 Nov 2024

Scottish man charged over Greencastle fishing boat theft in Donegal

David Paterson, a 49-year-old Scottish man, is charged over the alleged theft of the nine-metre fishing vessel Linda Louise from Greencastle Pier, Inishowen, Donegal, on 22 November 2024. Gardaí seized the vessel during an operation at Greencastle harbour. In July 2026 Paterson was convicted in the UK of cocaine-smuggling conspiracy and is on remand pending sentencing. On 10 September 2026 he appeared before Buncrana District Court, where no bail application was to be made and he was expected to be sent forward to the Circuit Court. The latest development is that the case was adjourned to Letterkenny District Court for a video-link appearance on 16 September 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The alleged theft involved the nine-metre fishing vessel Linda Louise.
Where
The alleged theft took place at Greencastle Pier in Inishowen, Donegal.
When
The alleged theft took place on 22 November 2024.
Investigation
Gardaí seized the vessel during an operation at Greencastle harbour.
Charges
  • David Paterson, of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, is charged under Section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
  • One source describes the charge as handling stolen property, namely the Linda Louise, while another describes it as the alleged theft of a fishing vessel.
Other details
  • Paterson was convicted in the UK in July 2026 of cocaine-smuggling conspiracy.
  • Paterson is on remand pending sentencing in the UK.
In court
  • The case came before Buncrana District Court on Thursday, 10 September 2026.
  • There was to be no bail application in the Inishowen proceedings.
  • Paterson is expected to be sent forward to the Circuit Court.
  • The case was adjourned to Letterkenny District Court for a video-link appearance on 16 September 2026.
Sentence
No sentence has been imposed in the Irish case.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged theft took place at Greencastle Pier. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe alleged theft took place on November 22, 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí seized the vessel during an operation at Greencastle harbour. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is charged under Section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is accused of handling stolen property, namely the nine-metre fishing vessel 'Linda Louise'. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe latest proceedings came before Buncrana District Court on Thursday, September 10. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThere will be no bail application in the Inishowen proceedings. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe accused is expected to be sent forward to the Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe Buncrana case was adjourned to Letterkenny District Court for a video-link appearance on September 16. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe accused was convicted in the UK in July 2026 of cocaine-smuggling conspiracy and is on remand pending sentencing. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Sep2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Greencastle boat theft: Man convicted in major drug-smuggling case

    Reports the Irish court appearance on 10 September 2026 in the Greencastle fishing boat case, the adjournment to Letterkenny, and the accused's separate UK conviction and remand.

    accused, David Paterson, 49, male, Scottish, named, non-irishDavid Paterson