Fisheries officers were ‘tired’ of defendant, court told
A Ukrainian national has been convicted and fined for a breach of fishing legislation.
Volodymyr Kovryzhko of 46 Neidin View faced two charges in Kenmare District Court after he was found fishing at Lough Fadda near Tahilla on May 11, which the court heard is a private fishery.
Mr Kovryzhko was charged with entering a fishery without authorisation and having in his possession seven trout when the permitted number is six, the court was told. He pleaded guilty.
The court was told the defendant has two fixed charge notices previously and the fisheries officer was ‘tired’ of him.
His solicitor Conor Murphy said it was not the most ‘egregious’ of crimes, as he was only one fish over the permitted number.
Mr Kovryzhko’s seized fishing gear had ‘sentimental value’, as the rod was owned by his late father. It was forfeited as part of the court order.
Mr Kovryzhko was also fined €200 for entering the private fishery without a permit. The second charge was taken into consideration.