#ANGLING - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has had success with two recent court cases in the Drogheda and Dundalk areas, resulting in fines of €1,550 issued and expenses of €2,101 awarded.
In the Dundalk district, Vladimir Prokopieve was found to be using nets at Drumcar Lake in Inniskeen, Co Monaghan in September 2011 with the intention of taking coarse fish and pike illegally.
Prokopieve was apprehended by Assistant Inspector Ronan O’Brien and was found to have more than four coarse fish over 25cm in his possession, as well as pike exceeding 50cm.
Following a number of summons issued to the defendant, the case was heard at Dundalk District Court on 22 March. Prokopiev appeared in court and entered a guilty plea.
Judge Sean McBride convicted him under Section 95 of the 1959 Fisheries Act in relation to fishing in fresh water for coarse fish by means other than rod and line. He also convicted him for breaches of the coarse fish Byelaw 806 of 2006 and the conservation of pike Byelaw 809 of 2006.
The defendant was fined a total of €1,400 with one month to pay, while Inland Fisheries Ireland was awarded €927 expenses for bringing this case.
In the Drogheda district, Derek Nugent was found to be fishing out of season on the River Kells Blackwater, a tributary of the River Boyne, on 8 October 2011.
Under the salmon conservation laws, the River Boyne has been catch and release for salmon since 2006 in an effort to preserve the valuable salmon stocks.
Nugent was apprehended by Assistant Inspector Gerry Conaty and an on-the-spot fine of €150 was issued with 21 days to pay. The fine was not paid and a summons was issued to Nugent.
This case was heard on 14 March at Navan District Court, and Nugent pleaded guilty. Judge McMahon made it clear that the defendant had brought the prosecution on himself by his failure to pay the fine and ultimately by giving a false name and address.
Judge McMahon convicted him under section 301 of the 1959 Fisheries Act and fined him €150 with €1,174 expenses awarded to Inland Fisheries Ireland with six months to pay.
Inland Fisheries Ireland encourages members of the general public to report incidences of report poaching and pollution by calling 1890 347 424 or easier recall 1890 FISH 24.
