Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 20977Fisheries offence (damaging spawning beds) · Co. Laois · 30 Sep 2022

Laois farmer fined for damaging spawning beds in River Nore tributary

On 30 September 2022, destructive gravel removal damaged spawning beds on an 80 metre stretch of the Delour River, a tributary of the River Nore, near Mountrath, County Laois. A county Laois farmer was prosecuted under Section 173 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, as amended, for damaging spawning beds and disturbing spawn or fry. The defendant pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court on 21 April 2023 and was found guilty of two breaches of fisheries legislation. The defendant was fined €4,000 and ordered to pay a further €1,500 for the costs of the prosecution, as reported on 23 May 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced23 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The farmer was found guilty of two breaches of fisheries legislation for deliberate destruction.
  • The offences involved damaging spawning beds and disturbing spawn or fry.
Where
  • The gravel removal took place on an 80 metre stretch of the Delour River, a tributary of the River Nore, near Mountrath.
  • The farmer is from County Laois.
When
The incident took place on 30 September 2022.
Cause
The damage was caused by destructive gravel removal works.
Investigation
Evidence was given by Fisheries Environmental Officer Oliver McGrath.
Charges
The offences were brought under Section 173 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, as amended.
In court
The defendant pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court on 21 April 2023.
Sentence
  • The defendant was fined €4,000.
  • The defendant was ordered to pay a further €1,500 for the costs of the prosecution.
Other details
Inland Fisheries Ireland described the offence as a serious crime against the environment.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe farmer was found guilty of two breaches of fisheries legislation for deliberate destruction. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whatThe offences involved damaging spawning beds and disturbing spawn or fry. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereThe farmer is from County Laois. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereThe gravel removal took place on an 80 metre stretch of the Delour River, a tributary of the River Nore, near Mountrath. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 30 September 2022. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • causeThe damage was caused by destructive gravel removal works. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • investigationEvidence was given by Fisheries Environmental Officer Oliver McGrath. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeThe offences were brought under Section 173 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, as amended. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtThe defendant pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court on 21 April 2023. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was fined €4,000. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was ordered to pay a further €1,500 for the costs of the prosecution. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherInland Fisheries Ireland described the offence as a serious crime against the environment. (tipperarylive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 May2023
    Sentencedtipperarylive.ie, first report
    Farmer convicted of damaging spawning beds by removing gravel from River Nore tributary

    Reports the conviction at Portlaoise District Court, the fine and the costs order for gravel removal on the Delour River, which took place on 30 September 2022.

    convicted