Inland Fisheries Officers told their houses would be burned

Inland Fisheries Officers told their houses would be burned down


A case in which a number of Inland Fisheries Officers were allegedly swung at with a hammer and told that their houses would be burned was adjourned to July 9 next for consideration.
Conflicting views on whether the officers crossed onto private property to repossess an illegal salmon fishing net led to the judge adjourning the matter. Ballina District Court heard that on August 28, Inland Fisheries Officers attended a lane-way at St Muredach’s Terrace behind the home of Margaret Hopkins of 12, Mount Assummpta, Ballina and formerly St Muredach’s Terrace.
Officer Pat Armstrong told the court that before going to the lane-way he called to Ballina Garda Station to make sure the lane-way was a public place. In the lane-way, Officer Armstrong said he found a steel barrier blocking the lane and a wheely bin with the salmon net on top. Mrs Hopkins is said to have shouted at the officers, while blocking the car and hitting the bonnet.
Mr Armstrong said Mrs Hopkins had never had a fishing licence and it was illegal to have the net. The court heard that brother of Mrs Hopkins, John Ferguson Jnr of 14, St Muredach’s Terrace tried to punch Mr Armstrong while Mrs Hopkins’ son, Declan Hopkins Jnr, pushed another officer.
Mr Ferguson Jnr is then alleged to have got a hammer and swung it at Officer Armstrong and another colleague, before hitting it off the gable of a house shouting, ‘‘I’m going to break ye’re skulls’‘ and threatened Officer Edward Doherty saying, ’‘I’m going to get you, I’m going to burn you out of your house’‘. Mr Doherty told the court that he has since removed the letterbox from his home to prevent a fire. Giving further evidence Officer Brian Flanagan told the court that Declan Hopkins Jnr whispered, ’‘I know you, your Brian Flanagan, I know where you live. I’m going to burn your house.”
Taking the stand, Margaret Hopkins said the lane-way was private and she puts her bins and washing out on it and maintained that Mr Armstrong needed a warrant to take the net. Referring to the use of the illegal salmon net, Mrs Hopkins explained that she sometimes cuts pieces off the net to put on her father’s grave. Declan Hopkins Jnr told the court that he saw five fisheries officers surrounding his mother and he was afraid she would become distressed and lose her baby as she was pregnant at the time. Hopkins Jnr denied hitting anyone but admitted to threatening officers. Defending solicitor John Gordon outlined to the court that the charge of obstruction could not proceed as there was no evidence that the Fisheries Officers were carrying out an ‘authorised duty’. Judge Devins concluded that she needed to look at the bye-law on nets and needed to see proof of whether the area is private or public. Judge Devins added that she also had a difficulty as to why criminal charges were not pursued in relation to the threats to officers. Prosecuting solicitor Henry Hewson told the judge he would be able to provide proof that the area was public and that the threats were being brought to court by the Inland Fisheries. The matter will go forward to July 9 next.