Inland Fisheries Ireland prosecutes angler for illegal fishing at Claregalway
Inland Fisheries Ireland prosecutes angler for illegal fishing at Claregalway
Monday, 10th October 2016: At a sitting of Galway District Court on the 30th of September, Judge Marie Keane convicted Mr John Beales of Glencolin Heights, Belfast of illegal fishing and obstruction of Fisheries Officers. He was convicted for failure to attach a gill tag to a wild salmon under Section 3 of the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations and for obstruction under Section 301(7) of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959. The illegal fishing activity took place on the Clare River in the Claregalway area on the 13th of July, 2015.
Inland Fisheries Ireland Officers Conor Dennedy and Paul Reynolds attended court and gave evidence of events to Judge Keane. Officer Dennedy told how they were on a foot patrol on the Clare River in Claregalway on Monday, 13th of July 2015. He advised that he saw an angler, later identified as Mr Beales, fishing downstream of the bridge. When Mr Beales noticed the Fisheries Officer, he concealed his fishing equipment and walked towards him.
Mr Beales denied he had been fishing when questioned by Officer Dennedy, however upon inspection of Mr Beales’ van, Officer Dennedy found two salmon, one trout and two mounted fishing rods. One of the salmon had a tag for the Foyle Fisheries Area issued to Mr Beales affixed to it, which is only valid in the Foyle area. Mr Beales became aggressive when questioned by Fisheries Officers and was later directed to leave the area by the Gardaí under the Public Order Act.
Initially, Inland Fisheries Ireland issued Mr Beales with a fixed charge penalty notice for the offence, however despite reminders, he did not pay. As a result, Mr Beales was prosecuted and brought to court. Judge Keane accepted the evidence of the Fisheries Officers in court and imposed fines totalling €900, as well as costs of €500. She also made a Forfeiture Order in respect of all items seized on the day from Mr Beales.
Dr. Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Protecting and conserving Ireland’s natural fisheries resource is hugely important as it offers us significant value from both a recreational and economic perspective. Inland Fisheries Ireland staff continue to work tirelessly to protect our fish and their habitats. Fisheries offences are common across the country and we will work to ensure that those who commit these offences are apprehended and prosecuted.”
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.
