Derry Court: Two men fined for possessing illegal fishing equipment on River Foyle

Two men from the Strathfoyle area have been fined for possessing illegal fishing equipment.

Neil Diver of Crannog Park and Paul Hughes of Moyglass Place both in Strathfoyle were charged with the offences that occurred on June 24 2022.

The court heard that fishery officers had intelligence about an illegal netting operation on the River Foyle. 

Some nets had been located hidden near the river and fishery officers concealed themselves. 

At around 12.45am the two defendants appeared and collected the nets and pulley equipment.

As they prepared to place the nets into the river the fishery officers approached them. 

A short chase ensued before the two defendants gave themselves up and admitted the offences. 

Defence solicitor Caoimhe McDaid said both men lived close by and described this as 'an opportunistic offence'.

She said both men were remorseful and accepted it was 'a silly thing to do' and added there was no commercial gain in it for them.

Hughes was fined £500 and Diver was fined £250.