Bord Iascaigh Réigiúnach an Oirthir
Press Release 8th April 2008
The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board initiated prosecutions against two people for coarse fishing offences in 2007 on waters in the Castleblaney area of Co Monaghan.
The individuals had been apprehended by court appointed angling club water keepers.
Summonses were subsequently issued to the individuals in question by registered post, however they were returned unserved. Consequently, the Board understood that the case would not proceed on 1st April. This case was however called before the Castleblaney district court on Tuesday 1st April, leaving Judge John Coughlan no option but to dismiss the case.
The Board expresses its disappointment at the circumstances leading to the court decision and has instructed the Board’s solicitor to reissue the summons so that the hard work of the anglers and staff can be brought to fruition.
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 addition staff have in response to numerous reports and in the course of their duties carried out many searches resulting in thousands of coarse fish being released, together with the confiscation of offending fishing gear.
The Board will continue to enforce these byelaws to conserve the fish stocks within the Region, with the assistance from the many dedicated anglers who provide valuable information. It gives an undertaking that all cases will be pursued rigorously.
Ends…..
Media enquiries: 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.