Bord Iascaigh Réigiúnach an Oirthir
Press Release 22nd October 2008
The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board (ERFB) has successfully won a court case against two people for coarse fishing offences in 2007 on waters in the Castleblaney area of Co Monaghan. Valeris Petrovs and Fevgenigs Pacurs were convicted at Castleblaney District Court on 20th October.
Neither defendant appeared in court. Judge Sean McBride ordered that Mr. Petrovs serve two 6 month concurrent prison sentences and a fine of €250, with one month to pay. Mr. Pacurs was given a €1,000 fine with one month to pay. The total costs awarded to the Eastern Regional Fisheries Boards in bringing this case was €2,480.
The offences relate to the illegal netting of coarse fish in a tributary stream of Lough Muckno at Castleblaney in September 2007. The individuals had been apprehended by court appointed angling club water keepers who through their vigilance witnessed the illegal activity taking place. An inflatable dinghy, net and a large number of bream were seized at the scene by the ERFB and local Gardai. This case had been struck out earlier in the year due to technical reasons around the serving of summonses on the defendants.
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. Coarse and pike fishing provides an important recreational amenity to both local and overseas anglers, making a valuable contribution to the local economy.
Ends…..
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.