Bord Iascaigh Réigiúnach an Oirthir
Press Release 13th July 2009
The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board has successfully won four court cases for coarse fishing offences on waters in Virginia, Co. Cavan. Eight people were convicted at Virginia District Court on 7th July, with fines totalling €3,250. The Board was awarded €6,219 in expenses for bringing these cases.
There were four cases in total, three of which referred to fisheries offences at Lough Ramor in Virginia and one at Cuilcagh Lake in 2008. In relation to the Lough Ramor incidences, on 5th December 2008, Mr. Dumitru Popa was apprehended by fisheries officers for using a strokehaul and for exceeding the size limit of coarse fish that can be taken. Mr. Dumitru did not appear in court and Judge McBride convicted him under the 1959 Fisheries Act and the coarse fish byelaw of 2006. The defendant was fined €625 with one month to pay. Under the coarse fish byelaw a person is allowed to keep four coarse fish less than 25cm, per day.
On 22nd November 2008, fisheries officers apprehended Mr. Ramec Blanka and Antnas Alnka for excess coarse fish in their possession and for further breaches of the coarse fish byelaw. Mr. Blanka did not appear in court and he was fined €1,000 for four separate offences with one month to pay. Mr. Alanka committed one offence, did not appear in court and was fined €250 by Judge McBride.
On 10th December, fisheries officers apprehended Cristi Popa, Andronache Andrei and Rusian Crangaci at Lough Ramor for excess coarse fish in their possession. Mr. Rusian Crangaci appeared in court and Judge McBride fined him €625. Mr. Cristi Popa and Andronache Andrei did not appear in court.
In relation to Cuilcagh Lake in Virginia, on 9th November 2008, two people were apprehended by fisheries officers. Mr. Darius Gvalda was using set lines in an attempt to catch coarse fish. He appeared in court and was fined €100 with 5 months to pay. Mr. Evaldas Grigelevicius did not appear in court and Judge McBride convicted him under the 1959 Fisheries Act for using a boat in committing an offence. He fined him €650 with one month to pay, which is the maximum fine for use of a boat in commission of an offence.
In all of these cases Judge McBride ordered the forfeiture of the equipment which had been used in the commission of the offences. The total costs awarded to the Fisheries Board in bringing these cases was €6,219.
The Board has been instrumental in the introduction of the 2006 coarse fish and pike byelaws and has been proactive in their enforcement with over 60 on the spot fines issued in 2007 and 8 prosecutions initiated. In 2008, 33 prosecutions were initiated. Coarse and pike fishing provides an important recreational amenity to both local and overseas anglers, making a valuable contribution to the local economy.
Josie Mahon,
Eastern Regional Fisheries Board,
15A Main Street, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin.
Tel: 01 278 7022 / 087 6538202
email: josie.mahon@erfb.ie
Website: www.fishingireland.net Email: info@erfb.ie
The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board is a statutory authority whose function is to conserve, develop, protect, manage and promote the inland fisheries and sea angling resources within its jurisdiction. The Region extends from the border in Northern Ireland to South of the Wexford coast and includes all catchments which enter the sea between these boundaries. For further information, please visit www.fishingireland.net