Mullingar fishermen fined for illegal net fishing

Two Mullingar fishermen illegally fishing in a Galway river with monofilament nets were fined €750 and must pay €400 in legal costs following their conviction at Galway District Court.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) presented the evidence against the two men for possession of illegal fishing nets and an inflatable boat on the Clare River, Galway.

IFI fisheries officers apprehended Simon Comerzan and Mihai Senchiea, both of Mullingar, Westmeath, with two monofilament gill nets and the small craft on June 15, 2024.

The incident occurred at the height of the seasonal salmon run in the region’s rivers.

Commenting on the successful prosecution Dr Rachel Cooper, IFI’s regional director in Galway, said: “Illegal nets can pose a serious threat to fish populations, such as protected Atlantic salmon, as they return along rivers to spawn.

“This successful prosecution is part of IFI’s very determined efforts to protect the State’s rivers, streams, and lakes.”

Mr Comerzan and Mr Senchiea were instructed to pay €750 in fines, and pay €400 in legal costs to IFI. The court was told that officers from IFI’s Galway district were carrying out a boat patrol when they encountered both men. The case was heard at Galway District Court on April 1st, 2025.

IFI continues to urge the public to report issues of concern relating to freshwater fish and their habitats to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.