A man received a sentence of five months’ imprisonment, a €2000 fine and ordered to pay €1245 in court costs, following a prosecution taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland at Kilkenny District Court on Monday, 12th July 2021.
Also in Kilkenny District Court on the same date, another man received a sentence of three months’ imprisonment, a €1500 fine and was ordered to pay €1245 in court costs following a prosecution taken by Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Inland Fisheries Ireland Officers outlined the facts of the case to the court of how both men had been observed in the act of illegal netting on the River Barrow, attempting to capture salmon.
As a statutory consequence of the conviction for use of a boat contrary to Section 285 (A)(1) of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, the boat that was seized by Inland Fisheries Ireland is now automatically forfeited.
The breaches of Fisheries legislation occurred on the 21st of July 2020 on the River Barrow, in the townland of Bauck, Co. Carlow/Kilconnelly, Co. Kilkenny.
Evidence in relation to the offence was given before Judge Brian O’Shea, sitting at Kilkenny District Court. Judge O’Shea proceeded to convict the defendants on all charges under Section 96, 97, 65 and 285A of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959. This case has been appealed to the Circuit Court.
Meanwhile, Inland Fisheries Ireland has confirmed that a total of 250 illegal fishing nets, measuring 13,158 metres in total, were among the 1,287 items seized by the agency on its patrols and inspections in 2020.
Other items seized by Inland Fisheries Ireland included boats, spear guns, hand lines, traps, illegally caught fish and stroke hauls which are large-weighted hooks used to impale a fish.
To report suspicions of illegal fishing, or sightings of illegal nets, members of the public are encouraged to call Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential hotline number on 1890 34 74 24, which is open 24 hours a day.