Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured a conviction against a gravel supply company for damaging an important river tributary in Co Clare.
Jim Bolton Sand and Gravel Ltd undertook works on a tributary of the Owenogarney River, which enters the Shannon at Bunratty, in the last week of October 2023.
The stream was cleared, spawning gravels were removed and a 65m length of culvert pipe was installed.
In addition, much of the riverbank habitat was impacted and silt entered the waters.
The closed season for such instream works is from October to June, and no alterations should take place in a river or stream in this period.
IFI assessments indicated the Owenogarney River had much lower stocks of salmon than a healthy salmon river should support.
The case was heard at Killaloe District Court on 7 January, with the company fined €400.
David McInerney, IFI’s Shannon regional director said: “These works caused significant damage to the stream, and led to a discharge of silt downstream, which settled on the riverbed gravels.
“Landowners and farmers need to seek all necessary and relevant information from their advisors, and from IFI, before carrying out any works near, or on, a watercourse adjacent to their land.”
