Lithuanian sentenced for illegal fishing

A Lithuanian who is believed to have fled back to his home country was sentenced to six months in absentia for illegal fishing when his case was called at a sitting of Virginia District Court. Remigijus Klimas of Whitethorn Lodge, Hazelhatch, Newcastle, County Dublin, was sentenced for being in possession of an instrument (float with line and hook attached) the use of which was prohibited in waters at Crossafehin, Lough Ramor, on November 3, 2009. A summons of being in possession of a boat in the commission of the offence was taken into account. Raimondas Kiliskas of the same address was fined €300 and directed to pay €1445 costs when convicted on the first summons and fined €300 for the second summons. Mr. George V. Maloney, solicitor on behalf of the Inland Fisheries Ireland, said that what was taking place on Lough Ramor was illegal fishing. The defendants had equipment which would enable them to take many fish from the lake. Fisheries officer Philip Duffy said he was on patrol on Lough Ramor when he observed two people in an inflatable boat, one of whom was the defendant. He carried out a search of the boat and discovered a set of lines. Mr. Klimas said there were three other such lines. Each line was capable of taking a number of fish at a time from the lake. Witness seized all the gear as well as the inflatable boat. Later Mr. Duff discovered six more floats which had been used for intensive fishing. The type of inflatable boat they had would have been imported from abroad, as it was not available in this country. A five-pound pike and a live roach were also discovered. Judge Sean MacBride said he had no doubt that this was a commercial venture and had no hesitation in imposing a custodial sentence on the defendant. He had considered issuing a bench warrant for the defendant but a sentence was appropriate. With regard to Mr. Kiliskas, Mr. Maloney said he was also in the boat and admitted having three floats. There was two dead roach on two of the floats. Roach were not to be used for this type of fishing. Ms. Rita Martin, solicitor defending, said her client was putting up his hand to the matter while the other person had run back to Lithuania. Judge MacBride said he was sick and tired of people poaching fish from the rivers and lakes of the country. “These men were involved in commercial activity.” He gave Mr. Kiliskas credit for owning up and facing the court. There would be a surprise for his friend if he ever returned to the country.