Inland Fisheries Ireland prosecutes three businesses and land owners in Lough Sheelin and River Camlin areas

Thursday, 3rd October 2019: Inland Fisheries Ireland has prosecuted three businesses and landowners in the Lough Sheelin and River Camlin catchments between May and September 2019, for the discharge of harmful substances to nearby watercourses.

In June 2019, Kiernan Milling of Granard, County Longford was convicted in Longford District Court for the discharge of effluent to the River Camlin catchment. Judge Hughes ordered the payment of €2,441.65 in fines and costs, for breaches under the 1959 Fisheries Consolidation Act.

On 23rd July 2019, in Virginia District Court, Mr Patrick Kiernan was convicted and ordered to pay €2,900 in fines and costs, for the discharge of effluent to the Kildorragh River (Lough Sheelin catchment).

A third conviction was secured by Inland Fisheries Ireland in Virginia District Court in September 2019. Mr John Lynch, Mountnugent, County Cavan, was ordered to pay €2,500 in fines and costs for allowing the discharge of deleterious matter into the Schoolhouse River, part of the Lough Sheelin catchment.

Lough Sheelin

In a fourth case in May 2019 at Longford District Court, Judge Hughes disposed of a prosecution by Inland Fisheries Ireland against Mr Derek Moorehead in relation to discharges to a tributary of the Camlin River and ordered Mr Moorehead to pay €500 to a wildlife charity. Lough Sheelin is a well-known wild brown trout fishery in the Great Western Lakes and one of the most important brown trout angling locations in Ireland, while the River Camlin is an important spawning and nursery location for Lough Ree brown trout.

Amanda Mooney, Director of the Shannon River Basin District said: “Pollution events in the spawning and nursery tributaries along these catchments can threaten indigenous fish populations. The maintenance of the aquatic habitat is vital if we are to sustain and enable wild fish populations to thrive. Inland Fisheries Ireland is working to protect and conserve this natural resource to ensure its sustainability into the long term. Angling for brown trout in lakes in the Inny catchment and Lough Ree generates important economic activity for rural communities and any impact on fish populations in the area may also have negative impact in this regard.”

Members of the public can report suspected pollution or poaching incidents to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s 24 hour Confidential Hotline on 1890 34 74 24.

ENDS

For Media Information:

Órla Sheils
Communications Manager
Inland Fisheries Ireland
E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie
T: 01 884 2673

About Inland Fisheries Ireland

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. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.