IFI secures conviction for environmental damage to important river Shannon tributary

INLAND Fisheries Ireland(IFI) has secured a conviction against a gravel supply company for damaging an important river Shannon tributary.

Jim Bolton Sand and Gravel Ltd undertook works on a tributary of the Owenogarney River, which enters the Shannon at Bunratty in Co Clare.

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.

Commenting, 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.”

READ MORE: BREAKING: Met Éireann warns of 'danger to life' as status red warning is issued for Limerick

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 January 7 and the incident occurred in the last week of October 2023. The company must now pay a fine of €400.

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.

Further guidance on this topic is available in the Minding Our Watercourses publication.

IFI continues to urge the public to report such instances of habitat destruction, water pollution, fish kills, or illegal fishing, to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.