IFI welcomes community service order for illegal fishing at Inniscarra Dam and Glanmire, Cork
- 60 hours community service in lieu of 2 months prison, and €300 in fines imposed.
Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) has secured a conviction against a Tipperary man for illegal salmon fishing in Cork thrice in a fortnight.
Mr Alan Freeman of Pearse Park, Tipperary Town, was found fishing in a prohibited area at Inniscarra Dam, Co. Cork, over two days.
Mr Freeman was trespassing as he did not have a permit to be in the fishery, had no licence to fish for salmon in any waters, and also gave a false name and address to IFI fisheries officers.
He was also detected fishing without a licence at the Glashaboy River in Glanmire, Cork, where he was obstructive to fisheries officers, and provided the same false name and address as before.
Mr Freeman was ordered to do 60 hours of community service in lieu of two months' imprisonment for trespass on a private fishery.
Prohibited angling area at Inniscarra Dam
Commenting, Sean Long, IFI’s South Western regional director said: “Mr Freeman has been given the opportunity to give something back to society rather than sitting in prison for two months.
“Unfortunately, this 20-year-old now has a criminal record, which will not be as easy to give back.
“IFI welcomes the successful prosecution of these cases. Uncontrolled fishing for salmon on these Cork rivers further endangers vulnerable stocks.”
Mr Freeman must also pay a fine of €150 for obstructing fisheries officers, and a €150 fine for providing a false name and address.
Entrance to authorised ESB game fishery at Inniscarra Dam
The case was heard at Cork District Court on February 19th, 2025.
The incidents at Inniscarra Dam occurred on June 19th and 20th, 2024, and the incident at Glashaboy River took place on July 1st, 2024.
Inland Fisheries Ireland continues to urge the public to report instances of illegal fishing, water pollution, fish kills, or habitat destruction, to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.
