Brazil Bourke, 21, died after he jumped from the deck of the Captain Nemo during a night-time cruise on July 31 2006. His body was recovered the following day.

An engineering student at the University of Limerick, Brazil was a native of Hospital and a past pupil of John the Baptist School in the town.

He was a nephew of former Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea.

Last month José Ribas, 46, went on trial accused of failing to stop the vessel to help Mr Bourke after he entered the water.

During the trial the captain insisted that he was not aware that Mr Bourke had jumped overboard on the night he died. He said another man also jumped off on the same night and that he saw him swim to safety

In a detailed written ruling, the judge said prosecutors had failed to prove that Mr Ribas knew more than one person was overboard.

Ribas was acquitted of Mr Bourke's manslaughter but he was convicted of failing to provide assistance to him on the night.

The judge also ruled Mr Ribas was at fault for failing to call the coast guard after hearing there was a man overboard.