Mayo Man convicted of Obstruction of Fisheries Officers at Castlebar District Court
Mayo Man convicted of Obstruction of Fisheries Officers at Castlebar District Court
Wednesday, 11th January 2017: At a sitting of Castlebar District Court on the 3rd of January, Judge Mary Devins convicted Mr David Egan, Balla, Claremorris Co. Mayo for obstruction of a Fisheries Officer and for failure to produce a salmon angling licence when requested. Judge Devins imposed fines totalling €600 which included €500 for the obstruction charge and €100 for not being in possession of a valid salmon angling licence.
Inland Fisheries Ireland brought the case against Mr. Egan when he was found fishing a section of the Cloongee Fishery on the River Moy in the Pollagh area and was not in possession of a valid permit or salmon angling licence. Solicitor Dermot Hewson, acting on behalf of Inland Fisheries Ireland, outlined the facts of the case against Mr Egan and his refusal to hand over his fishing gear. No defence was offered by Mr. Egan who pleaded guilty to both charges.
Inland Fisheries Ireland’s ownership of the fishing rights on the Pollagh section of the Cloongee Fishery near Foxford was disputed previously. However, at a special sitting of Castlebar Circuit Court in 2012, Inland Fisheries Ireland’s exclusive ownership of the fishing rights to the entire Cloongee Fishery was confirmed. The fishery was purchased from the private owners by the former North Western Regional Fisheries Board on behalf of the State in 2005.
Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “The regulation of angling on the River Moy is imperative if we are to effectively conserve and protect this valuable resource. Incidents of obstruction of Fisheries Officers have become quite common and this court case sends a clear message that this will not be tolerated.
Cloongee Fishery is well known as a very productive salmon fishery and Inland Fisheries Ireland has ensured that permits are available locally at a reasonable cost. The fisheries resource offers huge value from both a recreational and economic perspective to the local community. Inland Fisheries Ireland will continue to apprehend those who carry out illegal fishing activity.”
Inland Fisheries Ireland has a confidential hotline number to enable members of the 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 further information about Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie.
ENDS
For further information:
- Órla Sheils
- Communications Manager
- Tel: (01) 8842673
- E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie
Note to Editors:
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.
