*Cahercon.
THREE Clare men have been hit with cumulative fines of €1,275 concerning the possession of one unlawfully captured 60cm long ‘fine salmon’ in waters at the River Shannon in June of last year.
At Ennis District Court, Judge Valerie Corcoran imposed the fines on the three accused arising from a night-time surveillance operation carried out by officers at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) at the River Shannon at Cahercon, Co Clare on June 17th last.
In court, Judge Corcoran queried why the three caught only one salmon with a 60 metre long net they had placed in the water and in response, IFI Fisheries Officer, Bill Keane told the court “you are doing well to catch one these days”.
Mr Keane said that catching salmon on the River Salmon is completely outlawed due to the conservation status of salmon.
Mr Keane said that every salmon that is unlawfully taken “is potentially wiping out thousands of future salmon. Every salmon is important”.
The Corofin based IFI officer said that the salmon in question caught by the net was “a fine salmon” measuring 60cm in length.
Mr Keane said that on the night after the salmon was caught he heard one of the men comment “this is a good one”.
Mr Keane said that if there were plenty of salmon in the river they would have been caught by the net the men had put in place.
All three with Co Clare addresses, John Beirne of Maigh Dara, Quin, Kevin Murphy of The Square, Kildysart and Gary Walsh of King’s Road, Kildysart all pleaded guilty to having in their possession an unlawfully captured single salmon on June 17th last at Caheron contrary to Section 182 of the Fisheries Consolidation Act.
A photo of the salmon was handed into court for Judge Corcoran to view.
In the case, Judge Corcoran imposed a €400 fine on each and additional €25 each for the salmon.
Judge Corcoran said that taking into account that only one salmon was caught “I don’t think these men were bred for fishing”.
Judge Corcoran said that what occurred “was a serious issue and needs to be taken seriously” due to declining salmon numbers.
Judge Corcoran said that the height of the prosecution case is that the three were chancing their arm.
Judge Corcoran said that the net was put in place for catching fish in circumstances where it was illegal. She said, “That cannot be condoned”.
Judge Corcoran said that the three “were not particularly industrious” in their actions on the night.
Judge Corcoran said that she was taking into account the accused early plea of guilty and that they have no previous convictions.
The judge said that three are middle aged men “and it looks like they will never make a stupid mistake like this again”.
Solicitor Daragh Hassett for the three said that all three are working and they have family and obligations.
Mr Hassett said that all three were working in the area at the Cahercon Old Convent estate and “had time on their hands and put the net into water”.
Judge Corcoran said that there was no evidence that the three had brought the net to the location.
Solicitor for the IFI, Dermot O’Donovan told the court that the view of the IFI is that “this was a slick operation” but Mr Hassett said that he disagreed with this.
