Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured a conviction against a man for illegal salmon netting for which he was given a two-month suspended prison sentence.
Gerard McGuinness of Largymore, Killybegs, Co Donegal was accused of using a wetsuit and snorkel set to swim out to sea and remove three Atlantic salmon from a fixed net.
The case was heard at Glenties District Court on Wednesday 25 March.
McGuinness was observed at sea off the townland of Shalwy, Kilcar at 6am on 19 June 2025 by IFI fisheries officers who were carrying out surveillance along Donegal Bay.
The court heard that IFI staff apprehended McGuinness, who was found to have three salmon in his possession.
Fisheries officers engaged with McGuinness, who was cooperative and apologetic, and complied with instructions of IFI officers. The net was seized along with the wet suit, mask and other paraphernalia.
McGuinesss was given a two-month custodial sentence suspended for two years and instructed to pay €713 in costs.
Commenting, Dr Milton Matthews, director of IFI's North-Western Region said: “I commend the work of the protection team in securing this prosecution.
“This verdict sends out a clear message that those who engage in illegal netting of salmon can potentially face imprisonment.
“Wild Atlantic salmon are under considerable pressure from a range of environmental impacts. Illegal activities such as setting fixed nets or drift netting for salmon impacts on remaining spawning numbers and will not be tolerated by IFI.”
