Three Convicted for Illegal Fishing Offences

Press release - Tuesday, 3rd March 2015

At a sitting of Clifden District Court on Thursday, 26th February, Judge Mary Fahy convicted three men of illegal fishing in two separate cases in the Connemara and Ballinakill fishery districts.

In the first case, Judge Fahy heard that Michael Coyne, of Glennagevlagh, Leenane, Co. Galway, was apprehended by Fishery Officers on 31st July 2014, in possession of two salmon. The court heard that Fishery Officers on patrol in the Aasleagh area of Killary Harbour at night heard splashing in the water, and using a thermal imaging camera observed a man using a net. The Officers went immediately to the area and apprehended Mr. Coyne in possession of 2 salmon.

The judge was told that Mr. Coyne immediately admitted to illegal fishing. The court heard that Mr. Coyne was co-operative, and showed the Officers where he had hidden 3 nets. Judge Fahy convicted Mr. Coyne on two charges of illegal possession or a net, and the illegal use of a fixed engine, and fined him €600, with €200 costs.

On the same day, the court also heard a case against Pat King and John Coneys, both with addresses in Keerhaunmore, Ballyconneely, Co. Galway. Evidence was heard that on 27th July 2014, Assistant Inspector Sean Coady of Inland Fisheries Ireland was on patrol in the Ballyconneely area when he observed 2 men in a boat acting suspiciously. He approached the men when they returned to shore, and found them in possession of a bag with a salmon in it.

Judge Fahy heard that the men immediately took responsibility, and were fully co-operative. Both men were convicted on one charge of the possession of an unlawfully caught salmon, and were fined €200 each, plus €100 each for possession of the salmon. Costs of €250 each were also awarded against the men.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has a 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

Further Information: 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

Note for Editors:

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 will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.