IFI statement re fish kill at River Rye, Co Kildare

Inland Fisheries Ireland, in conjunction with other government agencies, is continuing to investigate a significant fish kill in Co. Kildare in which early indications suggest more than 500 fish have died.

The incident occurred on the River Rye (or Rye Water) near Maynooth, in Co. Kildare. 

Fish mortalities were observed over a 4km stretch of the river.

Species of fish discovered dead include brown trout, lamprey, stone loach, minnow and gudgeon.

Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) fisheries environmental officers have been on site since Wednesday evening to investigate the incident. 

The EPA, Kildare County Council and the River Basin Management Services have been on the ground today investigating the issue.

Water and fish samples have been taken from the river and will be sent for analysis. 

The interagency group is actively probing the cause of this harmful ecological event, but it’s too early to definitively establish how it occurred.

IFI is working with other government agencies in line with the new national interagency protocol for investigating significant fish kills, and is the lead agency on this case.

An interagency group met today to discuss the River Rye fish kill and included representatives from Kildare County Council, the EPA, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

IFI continues to urge the public to report instances of fish kills, water pollution, habitat destruction, or illegal fishing to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.