Two men charged with illegally poaching salmon in River Nore
Two men have been charged and fined after being caught poaching salmon on the River Nore.
The two men appeared in front of Judge Geraldine Carthy at Kilkenny District Court after being caught illegal net fishing for salmon on the lower River Nore on July 15, 2019.
Fisheries Officer John Cullen told the court officers used a mobile scout camera (CCTV) to capture video and still images of both men using a net and a cot (small wooden boat) to illegally catch eight wild salmon.
The place in which the incident occurred is a remote area on the tidal section of the River Nore, approximately eight kilometres downstream of Inistioge.
In sentencing, Judge Carthy took into account the good character references for both defendants and the fact that they have no previous convictions. She imposed fines and costs totalling €1,500 on each of the men.
It has been illegal to catch salmon on the River Nore since 2014 and the river is only open on a catch and release basis for salmon angling.
Commenting on the case, an Inland Fisheries Ireland spokesperson said: “There has been a significant decline in salmon stocks in recent years and the River Nore is significantly below its conservation limit, which indicates that every effort needs to be made to conserve this fishery.”
