Friday 30 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. 14496Fishing regulation breaches · Co. Cork · 16 Feb 2025

Trawler master charged with fishing regulation breaches

On Sunday 16 February 2025, the German-registered factory supertrawler Helen Mary was detained by the EFCA patrol vessel Ocean Protector, about 60 nautical miles south of the Fastnet, for alleged fishing infringements. It was brought to the Port of Cork's Lisheen berth in Tivoli, where its master, Willem Van Der Boon, aged 44, with an address in the Netherlands, was arrested and charged. On 20 February 2025 he appeared before Cork District Court on seven charges under fishing regulations, and made no reply when charged. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case be tried on indictment in the Circuit Criminal Court in Cork, and he was remanded on bail to appear there on 28 April.

  1. Reported17 Feb
  2. Arrested18 Feb
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The German-registered factory supertrawler Helen Mary, with a crew of 50, was detained in Irish waters for alleged fishery offences.
Where
  • The vessel was fishing for scad or horse mackerel about 60 nautical miles south of the Fastnet when it was detained.
  • The vessel was brought into Cork Harbour and tied up at the Port of Cork's deep water berth at Lisheen in Tivoli.
When
The vessel was detained on Sunday 16 February 2025 by the EFCA patrol vessel Ocean Protector.
Cause
The vessel was allegedly detained for having a defective ladder in breach of EU fishing regulations.
Investigation
  • Gardaí said a man in his 40s was being detained on board for alleged fishery breaches under the Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006.
  • Garda Dermot Broughton of Mayfield Garda Station gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of the master at Lisheen berth.
In court
  • Gardaí obtained a court order to detain the vessel for up to 48 hours.
  • He appeared before Cork District Court on 20 February 2025 and made no reply when charged.
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case be tried on indictment in the Circuit Criminal Court in Cork.
  • He was remanded on bail to appear before Cork Circuit Criminal Court on 28 April.
Charges
  • Willem Van Der Boon, aged 44, was charged with seven breaches of fishing regulations, including failing to provide a safe boarding ladder.
  • He is also charged with failing to comply with a direction from a Sea Fisheries Protection Authority inspector.
Other details
His bail was set on his own bond of €10,000, and a bond of €425,000 was entered for the vessel's release.
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe Helen Mary, a German-registered factory supertrawler, was detained in Irish waters for alleged fishery offences. (rte.ie)
  • whatA German-registered factory supertrawler was detained off the south west coast of Ireland for suspected fishing infringements. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe master of a German-registered super trawler was charged with seven breaches of fishing regulations. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe vessel was brought into Cork Harbour. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe vessel was tied up at the Port of Cork's deep water berth at Lisheen in Tivoli. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe vessel was fishing for scad or horse mackerel 60 nautical miles south of the Fastnet. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe vessel arrived at the Port of Cork. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe vessel was detained 60 nautical miles south of Fastnet. (rte.ie)
  • whenOfficers on the EFCA offshore patrol vessel detected the suspected infringements on Sunday. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe vessel was detained on Sunday by the EFCA patrol vessel Ocean Protector. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe vessel was detained on the Sunday before the court appearance. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe vessel was allegedly defective in having a defective ladder in breach of EU fishing regulations. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe vessel was detained for suspected fishing infringements. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe suspected infringements involved a sea-fishing vessel in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí confirmed a man in his 40s is being detained for alleged fishery breaches on board the vessel. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe EFCA said a suspected infringement was found during an inspection at sea. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGarda Dermot Broughton gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of the master at the Port of Cork's Lisheen berth. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe master faces seven charges, including failing to provide a safe boarding ladder. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe master is charged with failing to comply with a direction from a Sea Fisheries Protection Authority inspector. (rte.ie)
  • courtGardaí were granted a court order to detain the vessel for up to 48 hours. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe master appeared before Cork District Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case be tried on indictment in the Circuit Criminal Court in Cork. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe master was remanded on bail to appear before Cork Circuit Criminal Court on 28 April. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe vessel was detained by the European Fisheries Control agency patrol boat Ocean Protector. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe Sea Fisheries Protection Authority issued a statement on the matter. (rte.ie)
  • otherEFCA inspectors always have Union inspectors from Member States on board when operating in EU waters, and the Union inspectors are the leading inspectors. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe vessel had a crew of 50. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe master's bail was set on his own bond of €10,000. (rte.ie)
  • otherA bond of €425,000 was entered into for the release of the vessel. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Feb2025
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Trawler master charged with fishing regulation breaches

    First report of the case. Adds the seven charges, the detention 60 nautical miles south of Fastnet, the court appearance in Cork District Court, the bail bond terms and the trial date.

    accused, Willem Van Der Boon, 44, namedWillem Van Der Boon
  2. 18 Feb2025
    Arrestedrte.ie, follow-up
    Man detained after German supertrawler detained in Cork

    Names the vessel Helen Mary, says it was detained on Sunday for a defective ladder, that a man in his 40s is being detained on board, and that gardaí obtained a 48-hour court order to detain the vessel. The article does not name the man.

    suspect, 40s, male
  3. 17 Feb2025
    Reportedrte.ie, follow-up
    German registered trawler detained in Irish waters

    RTÉ reports the detention by the EFCA patrol boat Ocean Protector, the vessel's berthing at the Port of Cork's Lisheen berth in Tivoli, and a statement from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. It does not name the master or report any arrest or charge.