Assault and breaches of Fisheries Act costs poacher €2,400
Media Release
Assault and breaches of Fisheries Act costs poacher €2,400
Tuesday, 4th of May 2021: Mr Craig Brew from Clonmel was convicted by Judge Marian O’Leary at Cork District Court on Wednesday, 21st of April 2021 on five charges including assaulting Fisheries Officers. Officers of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) had observed Mr Brew fishing in a prohibited area known as the ‘Flush’ at the face of the ESB Inniscarra Dam on the 23rd of May 2020.
Mr Brew was fined €500 for illegal entry upon the private fishery, €400 for obstructing the Fisheries Officers, €500 for assault and €300 for not having a Salmon Rod Ordinary Licence. Judge O’Leary fined the defendant €300 for using a vehicle to aid the commission of an offence and also considered an ancillary disqualification for the use of the vehicle. Costs of €400 were awarded to IFI and an order for forfeiture of the fishing rods used was granted.
Evidence was heard that Mr Brew, who had travelled from Tipperary to Cork during the Covid-19 lockdown, had refused to cooperate and violently threatened and resisted the Fisheries Officers before Gardai Siochana arrived to assist.
Sean Long, Director of the South Western River Basin District said: ‘The welfare of our Fisheries Officers is of foremost importance to IFI and that they can carry out their necessary work while ensuring their own personal safety. We are concerned at the level of threatening and aggressive behaviour towards Fisheries Officers in the area and on social media. While we are satisfied with the convictions in this case, an assault on a Fisheries Officer is a severe matter and offenders will be prosecuted without exception. I urge anglers and members of the public to report illegal fishing through IFI’s confidential hotline on 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24.’
For more information on Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie.
ENDS
For media information:
Sadhbh O’Neill
Communications Assistant
Inland Fisheries Ireland
E: sadhbh.oneill@fisheriesireland.ie
T: 01 8842632/ 087 101 9998
About Inland Fisheries Ireland
Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication (DECC) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.
