Galway Bay fm newsroom – Three men have been convicted for two separate poaching offences at Spiddal Pier and a spawning stream of the River Clare
The cases have been heard before Tuam and Derrynea District Courts.
Ben Conneally and Michael Collins of Boyounagh Glenamaddy appeared before Tuam District Court on charges relating to an incident on January 5th last year
The court heard on the date in question Fishery Officers had observed the two men using a light to locate spawning salmon with a view to spearing them in a spawning stream of the Clare River
A search of the vehicle they were driving resulted in the seizure of additional high powered lamps and a fork specially modified with barbs to spear salmon
Judge Geoffrey Browne convicted Ben Conneally of the illegal use of a spear, and fined him €200 with €350 costs
He also convicted Michael Collins of the illegal use of a light on the riverbank, and also fined him €200 with €350 costs
Commenting on the case, Dr John Conneely, Director of the Western River Basin District says it demonstrates that illegal fishing is not just a summer problem
In a separate case Dara Conlon of Baile Liam, Spiddal pleaded guilty at Derrynea District Court to the possession of an illegally caught salmon at Spiddal Pier on the 2nd of July last year
Mr. Conlon was observed fishing with a net close to the shore, not far from the mouth of the Boluisce River, and when searched he was found to be in possession of a salmon, which had been concealed under the net in his boat
Judge Mary Fahy heard that the Boluisce River already suffers from very low salmon stocks, and due to the collapse in fish numbers it is now closed for angling
Given the importance of every fish to the river, she rejected the defence’s application to apply the Probation Act, and convicted Mr. Conlon on the charge of illegal possession of a salmon, fining him €100 with €450 costs
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