Fishing master fined for obstruction of a Sea-Fisheries Protection Officer
On the 10th of March 2026, Yasser Eldmergy, with an address in County Louth, pleaded guilty at Dundalk District Court to a charge of obstruction of a Sea-Fisheries Protection Officer. The incident occurred on the 16th of January 2025, at Port Oriel, Clogherhead, Co. Louth.
On the date concerned, a Sea-Fisheries Protection Officer, accompanied by other officers, attended at the pier to conduct an inspection of a razor clam fishery vessel. The Court heard that Mr. Eldmergy, the master of another vessel, became abusive, aggressive and made a number of threats to the Sea-Fisheries Protection Officer.
The Court heard that the fishing master made references to a previous incident where his catch was confiscated. The Court also heard that he apologised to the officer later that morning.
The Court proceeded to impose a conviction and fine in the sum of €300.
A SFPA spokesperson commented:
“Obstruction of Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers in the conduct of their duties is a serious offence. Officers are required to conduct their duties to ensure sustainability measures under sea-fisheries law, and safety objectives of food safety law are complied with. The SFPA notes the seriousness attached to this matter by the Court. The SFPA commends the Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers for the handling of this incident.”
ENDS
About the SFPA
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is the independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of the sea-fisheries and the sea-food production sectors. It promotes compliance with the EU Common Fisheries Policy, sea-fisheries law and food safety law relating to fish and fish products, verifies compliance and, where necessary, enforces it. Its mandate covers all fishing vessels operating within Ireland’s 200-mile limit, over 2,000 Irish registered fishing vessels wherever they operate, and all seafood produced in Ireland’s seafood processing companies. The SFPA operates through a network of regional port offices situated at Ireland’s main fishery harbours. For further information visit: www.sfpa.ie