IFI secures fines/costs of €3,114 against man for illegal fishing

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured a conviction against a man for operating an illegal salmon net off the Mayo coast — with fines and costs of €3,114 levied.

Mr Humphrey O’Leary of Clare Island, Co. Mayo was detected operating an illegal salmon net by IFI officers who were carrying out an early morning sea patrol.

Officers intercepted Mr O’Leary, cautioned him at the location, and seized a 190m salmon net.

The incident happened on the sea off Clare Island.

Commenting Liam Gavin, IFI’s Acting Western Director(Galway), said: “Illegal salmon fishing is a direct threat to the survival of this iconic and vulnerable species. Wild Atlantic salmon stocks are, worryingly, in continued decline. 

“IFI will continue to take robust enforcement, conservation, restoration, and advocacy measures to protect wild salmon and reverse this decline.”

Further details: 

• The case was heard at Castlebar District Court on April 16th, 2026
   
• The court was told that fisheries officers were on patrol in the area using a Delta RIB when a boat was observed with a person onboard operating an illegal salmon net
   
• Mr O’Leary was instructed to pay €500 in fines and €2,614 in legal costs
   
• The incident took place on July 12th, 2025

IFI urge people to report illegal fishing activity, habitat destruction, water pollution, fish kills or issues of concern in their local rivers/lakes/sea to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.