Sunday 1 November 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. 21639Illegal fishing (breach of Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 and Bye Law 981 of 2020) · Co. Cork · 10 Oct 2022

Three men found guilty of illegal bluefin tuna fishing off West Cork

Brian Hassett, Barry Keohane, and Conor Jones, all from Cork, were found guilty at Skibbereen District Court of illegally fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna in waters south of Baltimore Harbour in October 2022. Hassett was fined €1,000 while Keohane and Jones received the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act on bonds of €5,000 each for three years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced31 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThree men from Cork were found guilty of illegally fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna off the west coast. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereThe illegal fishing took place in waters south of Baltimore Harbour. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 10 October 2022. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationIFI Officer David Lordan observed the men using a spreader-bar lure system for around 70 minutes before their vessel entered Baltimore Harbour. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeHassett was found guilty of a breach of Section 285(a) of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeHassett was also found guilty of breaches of Article 4(a) and 4(b) of Bye Law 981 of 2020, taken into consideration. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeKeohane and Jones were found guilty of breaches of Article 4(a) and 4(b) of the 2020 Bye Law. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtAll three entered guilty pleas at Skibbereen District Court. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtThe court granted Forfeiture Orders in respect of all seized fishing gear. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtThe hearing took place on 14 March 2023. (corkbeo.ie)
  • sentenceHassett was fined €1,000. (corkbeo.ie)
  • sentenceKeohane and Jones received the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act on bonds of €5,000 each for three years. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherThe sustainable catch and release angling fishery is currently valued at €1m annually. (corkbeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Mar2023
    Sentencedcorkbeo.ie, first report
    Men plead guilty to illegally fishing for bluefin tuna off West Cork

    Reports the guilty pleas, evidence from IFI Officer David Lordan, forfeiture of seized fishing gear, and sentences handed down at Skibbereen District Court on 14 March 2023.

    convicted, Brian Hassett, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Hassettconvicted, Barry Keohane, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Keohaneconvicted, Conor Jones, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor Jones