15 prosecutions over poaching on the Foyle and Carlingford

The Sentinel recently reported how bailiffs in the Foyle and Carlingford systems made the seizures in their ongoing battle against poachers.

Now the Fisheries Minister Michell O’Neill has revealed at least 15 court cases have followed.

Ten cases relating to 18 individuals have been presented to the Loughs Agency’s solicitors for ongoing processing through the courts in relation to illegal netting.

Of the 12 boat seizures 11 boats were persons unknown or abandoned by persons fleeing the scene of an incident and one boat is the subject of an ongoing case.

Twelve bags of oysters seized resulted in persons being formally cautioned, two bags were seized when the owner was unknown, and 22 bags of oysters are the subject of ongoing court proceedings against two persons.

In relation to the two cars seized by the Loughs Agency, there are two ongoing prosecutions involving three individuals.

It was not revealed how many cases had arisen from the seizure of various other items, including knives, balaclava masks and batons.