IFI gains conviction against two men for illegal salmon netting on the River Fergus

Thursday, December 21st, 2023: Inland Fisheries Ireland has secured convictions against two men for an illegal netting incident in which three Atlantic salmon died. 

Mr Tom Corry and Mr Flan Considine, both from Clarecastle, Co. Clare, were observed by Inland Fisheries(IFI) officers setting four illegal salmon nets across the River Fergus in Ennis. 

IFI officers managed to release three salmon alive to the water, but three salmon were dead.  

Commenting after the court verdict, David McInerney Shannon River Basin District Director at IFI said: “The River Fergus is closed to salmon fishing. Numbers in the river are significantly below levels required to sustain a healthy natural population.

“Illegal fishing is a serious environmental crime which has the capacity to threaten vulnerable salmon stocks.

“Any illegal fishing puts further pressure on a very important and iconic wild Irish fish. In 1971, a total of 1.2 million wild salmon returned to Ireland. Last year, that number was just 171,697 – representing a fall of 86pc.”

The case was heard at Ennis District Court on October 27th 2023.

The court heard how, when apprehended, Mr Corry and Mr Considine were in possession of an illegally caught salmon.

When IFI officers subsequently retrieved the nets that were set in the river another five salmon were caught there. 

Mr Corry was fined €200, and Mr Considine was fined €100. 

Both were ordered to pay costs of €615 each in relation to the offence - which occurred on the night of June 9th 2023. 

During the investigation IFI officers also seized a boat which was forfeited as a result of the conviction

Inland Fisheries Ireland continues to encourage the public to report illegal fishing incidents, or those relating to water pollution, habitat destruction, or fish kills, to its 24/7 confidential phone number, 0818 34 74 24.