Cavan District Court

Judge takes tough stance against illegal fishing These are criminals and they have no respect for people's property," stated Judge Sean MacBride when he convicted a Polish national for illegal fishing at a sitting of Cavan District Court. Andrzez Kazmuk, 32, Tearmon Abbey, Sycamore Close, Drogheda, was fined €625 with €1725.25 costs for using a boat in the commissioning of an offence at Black Lough, Derrygoony, on October 4. He was also fined €250 for taking a pike greater than 50cm from the lake on the occasion and a further €250 for taking more than one pike from the lake. Jim O'Reilly, fisheries officer with the Northern Regional Fisheries Board, said he observed two people fishing on Black Lough. He approached and spoke to them. They denied they had any fish. Witness searched a boat and found two pike under a seat. There was a limit of 50cm on the size of pike that can be taken from a lake. One of the pike was greater than 50cm, said witness. Mr. O'Reilly said that only one pike could be taken from a lake at any given time and the defendant had two on this occasion. When questioned about this he claimed to witness that they belonged to a friend who was fishing further along the shore. However, the defendant didn't know the man's name or where he lived. The defendant also claimed that the boat belonged to someone in Carrickmacross. Gary Duffy, the owner of the boat, said that he didn't give his boat to anyone. He had it secured with two locks on it. Judge Sean MacBride said if he could imprison the defendant he would. The defendant and his like were involved in a charade where they were poaching from the lakes in Cavan and Monaghan. "They are not going to get away with it", he said. "These fish are sold on the black market; there is only one remedy for this, there should be a penalty of imprisonment for this type of carry on", said the Judge. Judge MacBride suggested that when gardai detained such people that substantial bail should be imposed. "If they had to raise €1000 in bail they would think twice about it", he added. Case struck out after DPP failure to give direction A Sligo man who appeared before both Cavan and Cootehill District Courts on a charge of handling a stolen tractor valued at €70,000 had the case struck-out when the prosecution announced that they had failed to get a DPP direction in the matter. Brian Convey of Kilfree, Gurteen, was charged with handling the tractor at Killydoon, Lisduff, on August 13. The matter initially came before the court last August and was adjourned pending directions from the DPP. It also came before the court on November 19 and 26 again pending directions. When the matter came before Cavan District Court on Thursday, December 17, Judge Sean MacBride told the prosecution that if the DPP didn't give direction at the Cootehill Court on Tuesday, December 22, he would strike the matter out. Speaking at the Cavan Court Judge MacBride said he expected a direction from the DPP for Cootehill. He also directed that Mr. Convey did not have to travel from Sligo to attend court that day. "There is no point in the file gathering dust in Dublin Castle." At Cootehill court defence solicitor Martin Cosgrove said the State could come again if they wanted to. "The matter had been adjourned peremptorily against the State," he said. Judge MacBride added that the DPP didn't have any excuse and he was going to strike the matter out.