The trial of a skipper charged with the manslaughter of five people after his boat sank off the Wexford coast was adjourned yesterday, following the swearing in of a jury.
Patrick Barden (66) appeared at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court to face charges after his trawler sank almost a mile from Fethard-on-Sea harbour with 10 people on board on July 28th, 2002.
Judge Pat McCartan told John O'Kelly, defending, and counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Michael O'Higgins, that because his presence was required at a trial at Trim Circuit Court, he would be unable to attend the Wexford court until next week.
However, a jury of five women and seven men was sworn in and the charges facing the defendant were read out.
Mr Barden entered pleas of not guilty to the manslaughter of Martin Roche, John Cullen, Seamus Doyle, Mark Doyle and James Cooney.
He was also charged with reckless conduct creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm to others by putting to sea in a vessel which was unseaworthy, overloaded, unstable and insufficiently equipped with life-saving equipment.
Two other counts charged him as being the master, and separately the owner, of a dangerously unsafe ship, contrary to Section 4 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1981.
The charges said the Pisces was unfit because of the condition of the vessel's hull, equipment or machinery or because it was overloaded.
Mr Barden also pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Judge McCartan remanded Mr Barden on continuing bail to appear next Tuesday before the Wexford court.
It is expected the trial will run for two weeks.
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