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

Press release, 12th May 2014

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: suzanne.campion@fisheriesireland.ie 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