Spiddal farmer convicted of possession of net used for illegal fishing

Spiddal farmer convicted of possession of net used for illegal fishing

Thursday, 29th of September 2016: At a sitting of Galway District Court on the 12th of April 2016, Judge Marie Keane convicted Mr Joe Thornton of Spiddal, County Galway of unlawful possession of a net which was used to illegally catch fish on the Boluisce River, Spiddal.  He was convicted and fined €250 for Obstruction under Section 308 and also of Possession of a net, for which he was also fined €250 under Section 96.

Inland Fisheries Ireland Inspector Pat Gorman and Officers Paul Reynolds and Lonan O'Farrell attended court and gave evidence of events to Judge Keane. They told how Mr Thornton was found by the fishery officers pulling a net which was used to catch salmon out of the river on the 10th of June 2015. When approached by IFI officers in uniform, Mr Thornton attempted to flee the scene. Mr Thornton, a farmer on nearby lands, denied all charges.

Judge Keane refused the opposition’s submission to strike out the case and accepted the Officers powers of arrest under fisheries legislation. She made reference to Mr Thornton’s attempt to flee and did not accept his version of events.

John Conneely, Director of the Western River Basin District of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Inland Fisheries Ireland works to protect and conserve our natural fisheries resource. Despite this, crimes against fisheries are common throughout Ireland. Inland Fisheries Ireland will continue to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for harming this valuable natural resource.”

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has a 24 hour confidential hotline number to enable members of the general public to report incidents - 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24. This phone line is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents of illegal fishing, water pollution and invasive species.

For more information, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie.

ENDS

For further information:

Órla Sheils

Communications Manager

T: Tel: (01) 8842673

E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie

Note to Editors:

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) 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. IFI also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.