Clare fishermen convicted and fined over 'illegal netting incident'

INLAND Fisheries Ireland says it has secured convictions against two men for an illegal netting incident in County Clare during  which three Atlantic salmon died.  

Tom Corry and Flan Considine, both with addresses at Clarecastle, County Clare, were observed by Inland Fisheries (IFI) officers setting four illegal salmon nets across the River Fergus in Ennis on June 9, 2023.

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

Commenting after the verdict was delivered at Ennis District Court, David McInerney, director of the Shannon River Basin district, 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 86%."

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During the prosecution, 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. 

In addition, both were ordered to pay costs of €615 each in relation to the offence.

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.