THE FIRST ever Japanese captain to be charged with illegal fishing in Irish waters was yesterday remanded on three charges to appear at the next sitting of Cork Circuit Criminal Court in November.
Capt Tsukasa Nagasawa, of the Minato Maru, was charged with fishing inside the exclusive fishery limits of the State on August 21st contrary to the Fisheries Consolidation Act 1959 amended by the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1959.
Capt Nagasawa was also charged at the special sitting of Bandon District Court with entering the exclusive fishery limits of the State and with attempting to fish within the limits on the same date.
Questioned by State Solicitor, Mr Malachy Boohig, Sgt Fachtna O'Donovan, of Castletownbere, gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, saying he took possession of the Minato Maru from Lieut Brian Dempsey, of the LE Aisling, at 9.05 a.m. last Thursday.
He arrested Capt Nagasawa between 11.45 a.m. and 11.50 a.m. yesterday at Deenish Island Castletownbere, and charged him with the three fishing offences in the presence of an interpreter and his solicitor. He replied not guilty to all charges.
Capt Nagasawa's solicitor, Mr Rory Conway, said his client was waiving his right to a preliminary examination and would go forward on a plea of not guilty to Cork Circuit Criminal Court on November 4th.
Mr Boohig said the State had no objection to bail and Judge Murrough B. Connellan remanded Capt Nagasawa to appear at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on his own bail of £100.
Judge Connellan also made an order that the vessel and its contents be detained until security of £283,936 - the value of the catch, gear, possible fines and costs is lodged with the District Court clerk in Bandon.
Mr Conway produced a bank draft for £249,878.37 and Mr Des Morrissey, of RA Burke's Shipping Agents, underwrote the balance of £34,057, thereby freeing the vessel to leave Castletownbere.
Mr Conway asked that the bank draft be deposited in an interest earning bank account with any benefits to accrue to the defendant. Judge Connellan agreed to this.
Throughout the 22 minute hearing, Capt Nagasawa - dressed in a green windcheater and grey slacks - looked on impassively, smiling only at the end of the hearing when Judge Connellan asked him through an interpreter to verify his signature.