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. 1849Licensing dispute (judicial review) · Co. Kerry · 14 Apr 2025

Skellig Michael boat operator challenges OPW in High Court over landing licences

Atlantic Endeavour Ltd, operated by skipper Timmy Casey with more than three decades of experience, initiated a High Court judicial review against the Office of Public Works on 14 April 2025 over the award of landing licences for the 2025 Skellig Michael visitor season. The island, a Unesco world heritage site off the Co Kerry coast, traditionally receives visitors from mid-May to the end of September or the first week of October. Casey's boat met all legal and regulatory requirements set by the Department of Transport and was licensed by the OPW the previous year, but boat owners are unconvinced that the criteria adopted for the 2025 list of approved vessels were clear, objective and transparent. The case is at the initial stage of judicial review proceedings.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Atlantic Endeavour Ltd initiated a High Court judicial review against the OPW over the award of landing licences for the 2025 Skellig Michael visitor season.
Where
Skellig Michael, a Unesco world heritage site off the Co Kerry coast, with an early Christian monastic settlement dating from the 6th century.
When
The judicial review action was initiated on Monday 14 April 2025.
Other details
  • Timmy Casey, a skipper with more than three decades of experience, operates Atlantic Endeavour Ltd.
  • Boat owners are unconvinced that the criteria adopted by the OPW for the 2025 list of approved vessels were clear, objective and transparent.
  • Casey's boat met all legal and regulatory requirements set by the Department of Transport.
  • Casey and Atlantic Endeavour were licensed by the OPW the previous year to land passengers and tour the island.
  • The 2025 list of approved vessels was published by the OPW in the weeks before the action was brought.
  • In 2016, boatman Sean Feehan successfully challenged the revocation of permits allowing him to land visitors on Skellig Michael.
  • In 2010, the OPW sought to compel boat owners to choose a single departure point for boats visiting the island.
  • Two American tourists died on Skellig Michael in 2009, prompting an independent safety review.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe action relates to the issuing of landing licences to boat owners for the coming Skellig Michael visitor season. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAtlantic Endeavour Ltd initiated a High Court judicial review action against the OPW on Monday 14 April 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe Skellig Michael visitor season traditionally runs from mid-May to the end of September or the first week in October. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBoat owners are unconvinced that the criteria adopted by OPW were clear, objective and transparent. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherTimmy Casey is described as a skipper of more than three decades experience. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCasey's boat met all legal and regulatory requirements set by the Department of Transport. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCasey and Atlantic Endeavour were licensed by the OPW last year to land passengers and tour the island. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe 2025 list of approved vessels was published by the OPW in recent weeks. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSkellig Michael is a Unesco world heritage site with an early Christian monastic settlement dating from the 6th century. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherIn 2016, boatman Sean Feehan successfully challenged the revocation of permits allowing him to land visitors on Skellig Michael. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherIn 2010, the OPW sought to compel boat owners to choose a single departure point for boats visiting the island. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherTwo American tourists died on Skellig Michael in 2009, prompting an independent safety review. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Apr2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Skellig Michael boat operator challenges OPW in court over landing licences

    First report of the judicial review action challenging OPW's 2025 Skellig Michael landing licence awards.

    victim, Timmy Casey, male, irish (judged from name)Timmy Casey