Man fined for attempting to erect illegal fishing net on Moy

A MAN caught swimming across the river Moy while attempting to erect an illegal fishing net was fined €1,000 at last week’s sitting of Ballina District Court.
Freddie Harmon (49) of 29 The Hawthorns, Killala Road, Ballina pleaded guilty to the use of a net on the Moy at the townland of Cloonslaun, Ballina on May 9, 2015. Mr Harmon was detected swimming across the river in an attempt to erect the net in an area of the river reserved for the Ballina Salmon Anglers’ Association.
Edward Doherty, fisheries officer with Inland Fisheries Ireland explained that at 11.15pm, he saw a person swimming from the left bank to the right bank. Doherty, who was in a dinghy,  pursued the man to the bank, jumped out and caught him in a field.
Mr Doherty explained that another person was on the bank but he fled, and that Mr Harmon would not reveal his name. Judge Conal Gibbons referred to the absconder as ‘will-o’-the-wisp’.
A bag containing a net was found at the scene, as well as the net that Mr Harmon was bringing across to anchor in the bank. Mr Doherty said it was a serious and well-organised operation.
When questioned by Mr Peter Loftus, solicitor for the defendant, Mr Doherty agreed Mr Harmon was courteous at all times and had no previous convictions.  Mr Doherty said a number of species swim up the Moy to spawn, and if the numbers go down, it could affect other rivers and spell their closure.
Mr Loftus argued that seals were doing more damage to fish numbers than Mr Harmon.
Judge Gibbons said the Moy was an important resource to Ballina and the region, and it was important it was well managed. He said Mr Harmon was wrong to do what he did, but he gave him credit for being ‘extremely courteous’ on the night.
He fined him Mr Harmon €1,000 and ordered him to pay €500 in costs.