Ballyshannon District Court recently heard five cases of illegal fishing activity in the Erne Estuary.
Four men were convicted and fined after failing to pay fixed charge notices issued by Inland Fisheries Ireland officers.
Each man faced a charge of using a proscribed engine without producing a license to the inspector upon request, a violation of section 303 (2) of the Fisheries Consolidation Act, 1959. Though fixed charge penalty notices were issued to each, they remained unpaid after the 21-day deadline.
Leon Gillen, of Ashgrove, Magheraboy, Sligo, and his father, Niall Drummond, of East Port Road, Ballyshannon, were charged with an offence that occurred on December 6, 2023, at Port na Mara, Carrickboy, Ballyshannon.
An assistant inspector testified that he was conducting a routine patrol when the men admitted to targeting sea trout without the necessary license.
Their solicitor, Mr. Gerry McGovern, explained that their circumstances were currently difficult due to a recent family bereavement.
Judge Ciaran Liddy fined Gillen €250, granting him six months to pay, while the Probation Act was applied to Drummond.
Inland Fisheries Ireland was awarded costs amounting to €1,490.
Solicitor Ms. Donna Ferry of VP McMullin Solicitors represented Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Thomas Doherty, of Racecourse Road, Derry, was charged in connection with an offence at Randy Shore, Ballymacaward, Ballyshannon, on September 10, 2023.
Jim Lyttle, residing at Glenabbey Drive, Skeoge, Derry, and Sean Moore, of Glenabbey Street, Derry, were charged with the same offence on September 10, 2023, at the Erne Car Park, Ballymacaward, Ballyshannon.
Doherty, Lyttle, and Moore were neither present in court nor legally represented. They each received a €500 fine with six months to pay.
In the cases of Doherty, Lyttle, and Moore, Inland Fisheries Ireland was awarded costs totaling €1766.15.
Recognisance for any potential appeal was set at €200 for each of them.
Five men in court for illegal fishing in Donegal estuary was last modified: June 8th, 2025 by
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