Three men appeared before Ballina District Court this week for illegally fishing on The Moy in August 2010.
Fishery officers were called to The Moy at 2pm on August 25 2010, after water keepers had reported difficulties with an angler — John Beales, 207 Ridgepool Apartments, Ballina.
The defendant handed over his licence but had no permit and he was asked to stop fishing, but he continued to fish. An on the spot fine was issued but Beales stuffed it into one of the officer’s pockets and later threw it on the ground. Fishery officers tried to seize Beale’s fishing rod and did so after a struggle.
The defendant said that he was in dispute with the club over membership.
Chris Egan from the Ballina Salmon Anglers Association said that the defendant was not allowed to become a yearly member as he has not been a resident of Ballina for over five years, but Mr Egan said that daily permits are available to buy, however Beales had not purchased one.
The defendant, from Belfast, who has been in Ballina since 2009, has no previous breaches of the Fisheries Act and was convicted and fined €150 by Judge Mary Devins.
On the same date, at 1.30am, Sean Bourke (39 ), Carrowmore Lacken, Ballina and John Kearney (49 ), Carrowmore Lacken, Ballina were detected with an illegal fishing net on the river.
Both men were convicted and fined €100 each and directed to pay €75 each towards costs.
