Ireland Ardara man's conviction for untagged salmon upheld on appeal
Liam Whyte, a man from Ardara in County Donegal, was convicted of two breaches of fisheries legislation over an incident on 10 July 2017, when 13 untagged salmon were found in the boot of his car. Glenties District Court first heard the case on 27 February 2019 and imposed a €1,300 fine, €750 costs and a three-month prison term suspended for two years. Whyte appealed, and Donegal Circuit Court heard the case on 14 March 2023, upheld both convictions, waived the suspended sentence and raised the fines to €2,800 with costs of €979.63. The latest development, reported on 25 April 2023, is the circuit court's ruling, which Inland Fisheries Ireland welcomed.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced25 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Liam Whyte of Ardara was convicted of two breaches of fisheries legislation.
- Whyte was found with 13 untagged salmon in the boot of his car.
- When
- The illegal fishing incident occurred on 10 July 2017.
- Where
- The case concerns Ardara in County Donegal.
- Charges
- The offence was possession of untagged salmon under fisheries legislation.
- Investigation
- Inland Fisheries Ireland officers tagged the seized fish.
- In court
- Glenties District Court first heard the case on 27 February 2019.
- Whyte appealed, and Donegal Circuit Court heard the case on 14 March 2023.
- Sentence
- The district court fined Whyte €1,300 for possession of the salmon and ordered him to pay €750 costs.
- The district court imposed a three-month prison term suspended for two years, on condition of no further Fisheries Acts convictions.
- The circuit court waived the suspended sentence because Whyte had not come to the attention of the courts in the intervening period.
- The circuit court upheld both convictions and increased the fines to €2,800, with costs of €979.63.
- Other details
- Inland Fisheries Ireland welcomed the ruling.
- Whyte is described as a former salmon draft new licence holder.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatLiam Whyte was convicted of two breaches of fisheries legislation. (donegallive.ie)
- whatWhyte was caught with 13 untagged salmon in the boot of his car. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe illegal fishing incident occurred on July 10, 2017. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe case was first heard in Glenties District Court on February 27, 2019. (donegallive.ie)
- courtWhyte appealed to Donegal Circuit Court, which heard the case on March 14, 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceIn the district court Whyte was fined €1,300 for possession of the salmon and ordered to pay costs of €750. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe district court imposed a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, on condition of no further Fisheries Acts convictions. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe circuit court waived the three-month suspended sentence because Whyte had not come to the attention of the courts in the intervening period. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe circuit court upheld the two convictions with fines of €2,800 and costs of €979.63. (donegallive.ie)
- otherInland Fisheries Ireland welcomed the ruling. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Apr2023Donegal Circuit Court upholds conviction for 13 untagged salmon found in car
Appeal ruling in the district court conviction; the circuit court heard the case on 14 March 2023, waived the suspended sentence and increased the fines to €2,800 with costs of €979.63.
convicted, Liam Whyte, male, named, irish (judged from name)Liam Whyte