The skipper of a Spanish trawler arrested last week 100 miles off the Aran Islands was sent forward for trial yesterday charged with alleged illegal fishing and with having a defective boarding ladder.
Manuel Cousillas (50), c/o Eduardo Blanco Amor, N2 Portail, 2c Villanrodio Anteixo, A Coruna in Spain, is charged with being the skipper of the Novo Alborada which was conducting bottom-trawling in the Hovland Mound Province within the exclusive fishing limits of the State on January 11th.
He is further charged with having an incorrect boarding ladder which broke when the vessel was being boarded on January 11th. The vessel has been detained at Galway Docks since Friday.
Sgt Ann Boland gave evidence at Galway District Court yesterday of serving a book of evidence on Mr Cousillas.
Judge Mary Fahy returned him for trial to Galway Circuit Criminal Court on April 27th on his own bail of €100.
She directed that the vessel could be released from custody to Mr Cousillas on payment of a €55,000 bond.