THE NAVAL Service has denied that it threatened to fire across the bows of a fishing vessel which was detained for alleged fishery offences off the south-east coast yesterday.
The Defence Force wing was responding to a claim that the skipper of the Irish-registered vessel, Emer Jane, received such a warning yesterday when it refused to comply with a request to steam for Dunmore East, Co Waterford.
The vessel berthed in Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford, last night, following its detention by the patrol ship, LÉ Emersome 14 nautical miles (25 kms) south of Hook Head.
The detention was for alleged offences relating to the vessel's sea fishing licence, according to the Naval Service.
The vessel was apprehended about noon yesterday. The skipper was instructed by the Naval Service boarding party to proceed to Dunmore East, but while under way he informed the Naval Service personnel that he intended to steam for Kilmore Quay.
The Naval Service said that the instruction to proceed to Dunmore East was repeated, but the skipper refused and continued towards Kilmore Quay.
"Due to the safety concerns of the captain of the LÉ Emerfor the boarding party, they were withdrawn," Naval Service spokesman Lieut Cdr Terry Ward said. "Prior to departing the Emer Jane, the boarding party gathered all evidence in relation to the alleged offences for handover to the Garda Siochána".
The boarding party returned to their vessel at 3pm, and Lieut Cdr Ward said that the LÉ Emerhad resumed its patrol and would remain in the area.
Tensions within the fishing industry remain high, due to concerns over fuel prices and the continuing uncertainty over possible emergency aid from Brussels. A protest organised by Munster MEP Kathy Sinnott to mark Monday's visit to Dublin of French president Nicolas Sarkozy involved a number of fishing families.
The Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF), which was not part of the protest but represents the four main industry organisations, made a submission to Mr Sarkozy in which it called for "root and branch reform" of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy.
FIF chairman Gerard O'Flynn told Mr Sarkozy that despite the extensive benefits to the Irish economy from EU membership, these "did not extend to the fishing industry". Recent significant increases in fuel costs had "brought the Irish fleet to the brink of ruin", he said.