IFI welcomes conviction against Uisce Éireann for sewage pollution of trout river
• Fine, costs and expenses imposed totalling €7,658
Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) has welcomed a conviction against Uisce Éireann following a wastewater pumping station discharge into an important trout spawning and nursery habitat.
The discharge caused sewage fungus to cover a 2km stretch of the Cavan town riverbed, downstream of the incident, in Co Cavan.
A total of 150 brown trout were killed and ranged in size from juvenile to adult.
Uisce Éireann was found to have committed water pollution breaches at the river, and must pay a €3,500 fine and €4,158 in costs and expenses in connection with the incident.
Dead trout found in Cavan town River
Commenting Dr Milton Matthews IFI’s North-Western Director said: "IFI welcomes the outcome of this case.
"This contamination event should never have happened. It resulted in the needless and avoidable death of a significant number of brown trout."
Cavan town river covered in sewage fungus and pollution
The case was heard at Cavan District Court on October 3rd 2025.
The pollution incident occurred on July 1st 2023.
Cavan town river impacted by pollution.
IFI continues to urge the public to report instances of water pollution, fish kills, habitat destruction, or illegal fishing, to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.
