DPP chastised by judge over Mayo fisheries case issue

A judge chastised the Director of Public Prosecutions for bringing a fisheries case before the District Court before refusing jurisdiction.

Patrick McAndrew, of Porturlin, Ballina, pleaded guilty to a number of offences when he appeared before Belmullet District Court.

He admitted to the unlawful possession of a net, possession of salmon, the use of a boat to carry out the offending and the refusal to provide his name to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) officers.

Fisheries officer Mark Wilson told the court that he was alerted to illegal fishing activity off the north Mayo coast on July 15, 2025.

Officers from Bangor and Ballina were assembled and a boat readied.

The fishing vessel was about to moor at Porturlin Harbour but refused to stop when approached by fisheries officers.

Mr. Wilson said the IFI craft came alongside the fishing boat which was asked to stop on a least five occasions.

Judge James Faughnan halted the evidence and said he was refusing jurisdiction in the case.

“This is far too serious to have in the District Court. What were the DPP at?” said the judge.

The matter was adjourned until June 10 next for mention.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.