Ireland Three men sentenced for illegal bluefin tuna fishing off Cork
Three men from Cork were found guilty of illegally fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna in waters south of Baltimore Harbour on 10 October 2022. Brian Hassett from Monkstown, Barry Keohane from Blackrock, and Conor Jones of Kildinan were observed by IFI Officer David Lordan using a spreader-bar lure system for around 70 minutes before their vessel entered the harbour. All three entered guilty pleas at Skibbereen District Court on 14 March 2023. 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. The court also granted forfeiture orders for all seized fishing gear.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced31 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Three men from Cork were found guilty of illegally fishing for Atlantic bluefin tuna.
- Where
- The illegal fishing took place in waters south of Baltimore Harbour, County Cork.
- When
- The incident occurred on 10 October 2022.
- Investigation
- IFI Officer David Lordan observed the men using a spreader-bar lure system for around 70 minutes before their vessel entered Baltimore Harbour.
- Charges
- Hassett was found guilty of a breach of Section 285(a) of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 and breaches of Article 4(a) and 4(b) of Bye Law 981 of 2020.
- Keohane and Jones were found guilty of breaches of Article 4(a) and 4(b) of Bye Law 981 of 2020.
- In court
- All three entered guilty pleas at Skibbereen District Court on 14 March 2023.
- The court granted Forfeiture Orders in respect of all seized fishing gear.
- Sentence
- Hassett was fined €1,000.
- Keohane and Jones received the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act on bonds of €5,000 each for three years.
- Other details
- The sustainable catch and release angling fishery is currently valued at €1m annually.
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- 31 Mar2023Men 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