An Aran Island-bound passenger ferry from Doolin last August had a total of 172 passengers on board when the permitted maximum allowed was 95, a court has heard.
Counsel for the Dept of Transport, Thomas Wallace O’Donnell BL told the court that the ferry operator disputes the Department’s 172 passenger total figure but accepts that there was in excess of the permitted maximum of 95 people on board.She stated: “I do think travelling in a boat, you are totally dependent on the skipper and totally dependent on them complying with rules and regulations.”
Judge Larkin opted not to convict the company and stated that she would instead apply the Probation Act on condition that the company agree to make a €5,000 donation to the RNLI.Mr Wallace O’Donnell stated that with the guilty plea, the Dept was asking the court to strike out nine other summons against the ferry company.
In response and in a reference to previous flash-points between Doolin ferry companies over the past two decades, Judge Larkin commented: “So they are still as happy with each other at that pier as they always have been?” Mr Connolly stated: “The company has an impeccable safety record and unfortunately, there was oversight on the day - it shouldn’t have happened.”Sign-up for the Irish Mirror newsletter Sign up for our newsletter today!