Ireland Crime

Named as

Convicted

Offences

Wildlife crime (damage to freshwater pearl mussel habitat)

Where

Co. Donegal

Reporting

2 reports, 15 Jul 2022 to 6 Dec 2023

Outlets

thejournal.ie, rte.ie

• Donegal man's pearl mussel habitat fine cut on appeal Wildlife crime (damage to freshwater pearl mussel habitat) · Co. Donegal

  Richard Homer, a Donegal man, was convicted of clearing vegetation, disturbing the bank, and digging drains on the River Eske in Milltown, County Donegal, using a digger on Good Friday during the first Covid lockdown in 2020. The work caused significant sedimentation that killed hundreds of freshwater pearl mussels and stressed survivors. The National Parks and Wildlife Service brought three charges, and Homer was found guilty in Donegal District Court on 13 June 2022 after pleading not guilty. He was initially fined a total of €16,500, but on 6 December 2023 the Circuit Court appeal reduced the total to €11,000 and ordered him to allow NPWS staff onto his lands within three months to help restore the habitat.

  Sentenced, 15 Jul 2022Convicted · 2 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 6 Dec2023
   Sentencedthejournal.ie, in Donegal man's pearl mussel habitat fine cut on appeal

   Landowner who decimated rare mussel habitat fined €11k, ordered to allow NPWS staff onto land

   convicted, Richard Homer, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Homer♂IE
2. 15 Jul2022
   Sentencedrte.ie, in Donegal man's pearl mussel habitat fine cut on appeal

   Man fined for damaging freshwater pearl mussel habitat

   convicted, Richard Homer, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Homer♂IE

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