Press release, 12th May 2014

Father and son convicted for illegal fishing on river Inagh at Ennistymon

At recent sitting of Ennis District court, two members of the same family, Peter and James Garrihy of Ardnacullia, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, were successfully prosecuted and fined €750 each by Inland Fisheries Ireland for illegally capturing salmon on the river Inagh near the iconic falls at Ennistymon.

In August 2013, Inland Fisheries Ireland Officers were carrying out night surveillance on the Inagh River at the Falls in Ennistymon, County Clare.  The two individuals were observed using a net and illegally capturing salmon. Both pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of illegally captured salmon.  The Inagh River is currently closed to salmon fishing as it is failing to meet its conservation limit.  This means that there are not enough salmon returning to spawn to sustain salmon numbers required for the river.  Inland Fisheries Ireland is in the process of installing a fish counter on this river to further assist in determining the return of Salmon to the river.

In making his judgement Judge William Early queried the weight of these fish and the possible damage that was caused to the river by the removal of salmon which would have been capable of spawning that winter. He added that it was unfortunate that the conservation measures which have been put in place to restore the river are being disregarded.

Ms Amanda Mooney, Director at Inland Fisheries Ireland, Limerick stated today that “This blatant predation of salmon is unacceptable and these fish are the future to the survival of the species within these river catchments. Incidents of this nature are can be detrimental to the Wild Salmon stocks as they are under severe threat nationally and internationally with numbers declining annually. I would urge people not to purchase any illegally caught fish and to report any suspected illegal activity to Inland Fisheries Ireland.” 

Illegal salmon fishing is an environmental crime and IFI will continue its efforts to protect and conserve this valuable natural resources

IFI continue to run a 24 hour confidential hotline where anyone can report such illegal activity 1890 FISH 24 or 1890 3474 24 day or night.

...ENDS...

Media Enquiries

Suzanne Campion, 
Head of Business Development, 
Inland Fisheries Ireland, 
Anglesea Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. 
Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI promotes, supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. It also develops and advises the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling. www.fisheriesireland.ie

Press release 4th July 2014

Judge Convicts Men for Illegal Fishing Activities in Galway

Four men have been convicted of illegal fishing activities at two different sittings of Galway District Court on Tuesday, 1st July 2014. Judge Mary Fahy imposed fines and costs totally €4,900 to three brothers, Vidmantas Gaidys, Sigitas Gaidys and Alvydas Gaidys, convicted of illegal fishing activities; and John Costello was convicted of taking oysters illegally and fined €250, with costs of €300.

Illegal Fishing

Vidmantas Gaidys, of 21 Beal Srutha, Ballybane, Galway was convicted of using a net illegally, obstruction of fishery officers, and possession of a salmon in breach of fisheries legislation. Sigitas Gaidys, of 9C Bayview Rise, Ballybane, and Alvydas Gaidys, of Farm House, Cloonbiggen Road, Claregalway, were both convicted of the illegal use of a net, and obstruction of fishery officers.

Judge Fahy heard evidence that on the night of 19th October, 2013, the three men were in a van which fishery officers stopped close to the Clare River at Muntiagh North, Claregalway, Co Galway. Vidmantas Gaidys was apprehended, while the other two men fled on foot. When the van was searched, two bags containing 78 coarse fish and 1 salmon were discovered. The other two men were later identified and interviewed. All three admitted to using a net, and pleaded guilty in court.

Judge Fahy warned that using the vehicle in the course of the offence was a serious matter, and she told Mr. Gaidys that if he came before her for a similar offence she would disqualify him from driving for two years. Vidmantas Gaidys was fined €1,500 with costs of €600, while the other two defendants were each fined €800, with €600 costs.

Illegal Oyster Fishing

At a second sitting of Galway District Court on the 1st of July, Judge Mary Fahy convicted John Costello, of Ballinacourty, Clarinbridge, Co. Galway, of taking oysters illegally from Clarinbridge Bay.

Judge Fahy heard evidence that on 5th December, 2013, Mr. Costello was observed by Fishery Officer Lonan O’Farrell hand picking oysters at Carrowmore, Ballinacourty, Co. Galway. The only legal method of harvesting wild oysters is by licensed dredge, and hand picking is strictly illegal. Mr. Costello left a bag at the shoreline, and when this was searched it was found to contain 94 wild native oysters.

Judge Fahy commented that the native oyster was under threat in many areas, and that it was very important to the local economy of the Clarinbridge area. She convicted Mr. Costello of a breach of Section 277 of the 1959 Fisheries Act, and imposed a fine of €250, with costs of €300.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has a freefone number to enable members of the general public to report poaching incidents - 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24. This phone line is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents of illegal fishing, water pollution and invasive species.
...ENDS...

Contact: 

Suzanne Campion
Head of Business Development
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Anglesea Street,
Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie

Note for Editors:

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.