INDEPENDENT TD Michael Healy-Rae has condemned a ‘secret recording’ of a conversation he had with a senior official of Inland Fisheries Ireland in connection with a case in which his neighbour was accused of illegal fishing and assaulting a fisheries officer.
Mr Healy-Rae was offered as an alibi in court yesterday for John Joseph O’Reilly, who was accused of six breaches of the Fisheries Acts.
Mr O’Reilly of Main Street, Kilgarvan, Co Kerry, was charged with the offences at a sitting of Kenmare District Court. However, the charges were withdrawn by solicitor Kevin Quirke on behalf of Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Solicitor for Mr O’Reilly, Padraig O’Connell, told Judge James O’Connor the prosecution should never have been pursued. He said there were eight witnesses ready to be presented to the court – including Mr Healy-Rae – who could provide Mr O’Reilly with an alibi….
Irish Independent 07/09/2013 ‘Healy-Rae gives alibi to neighbour accused of poaching’
