Fined for catching fish with otter board at Lough Easkey

A 48-year-old man was fined €50 along with costs of €500 for using an otter board to catch fish at Lough Easkey.

Judge Kevin Kilrane imposed the fine on Eddie Haran of New Inn, Enfield, Co Meath at Tubbercurry District Court on Wednesday. Fisheries Officer Eamon Doherty said that on August 2nd 2017 he was at Lough Easkey with three other Fisheries Officers and they noticed a man wearing waders taking something out of the lake. There were two girls with him and he passed what looked like trout to one of the girls who put it in a bag.

They approached the man who gave his name and address and when the bag was inspected they discovered four trout in it. Defending solicitor Ms Fiona Gallagher said it was clear there was no commercial intent in what her client was doing.

She said an otter board was an old wooden instrument used to catch fish. She added that Mr Haran pleaded guilty and accepted he was at fault.

He was at his parents’ house with his daughter and niece and wanted to show them a piece of Irish history in how otter boards used to catch fish.

Judge Kilrane said that he would keep the fine small and fined Mr Haran €50 along with costs.