In the course of a routine inspection by Sea Fishery Officers of the fishing vessel at Killybegs on the 18th of November a number of apparent infringements of the fisheries regulations were detected. An individual was identified by the inspecting officers as acting as the Master of the fishing vessel, having just taken over this duty to relieve another individual. The person identified as the acting Master of the fishing vessel during the inspection process had also made a substantial number of entries to the EU fishing logbook of this fishing vessel in the recent past. This person is now at sea with the fishing vessel.
Following the initial inspection the Office of the Attorney General was advised that a number of apparent fisheries infringements had been detected. Following this an application was made to the court for a 48-hour detention order to investigate further the alleged fishery infringements. This order was duly granted by the Judge and the fishing vessel and its Master were lawfully detained at Killybegs for a period of 48-hours. The detention order was subsequently extended by 36-hours to facilitate the continued investigation of the alleged infringements and of the catch of the fishing vessel. The inspecting officers then prepared and presented statements to the Office of the Attorney General for consideration. The fishing vessel and its Master were released without charges being made at this time. I do not wish to comment further as this case remains under consideration.