Sir, - I refer to the report in The Irish Times on June 29th regarding the Spanish trawler detained for contravening fishing laws. The Circuit Court judge refused an application from the State for the confiscation of the trawler. He imposed fines totalling £75,000; confiscated gear worth £11,100, fish valued at £9,880 and allowed the State costs of £2,000.
The boat, worth £110,000, was berthed at Castletownbere since its arrest last February because its owner could not raise the £800,000 bond required for its release. The detention of the boat may have led to a loss of income. There is also the cost of defending the case.
Why were the penalties so large, and why was the bond so high? I think that further particulars are required. - Yours, etc.,
Knocklyon Road, Templeogue,
Dublin 16.