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Farmers Fined for Using River Gravel for Building Works
- 29 January 2013
Claire O'Sullivan
Two Waterford farmers have been prosecuted by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) for removing gravel and boulders from the River Nier to use in building projects on their land. IFI began an investigation after it was observed that water in the main channel of the river was discoloured and opaque on Mar 24 last.
Oliver O'Gorman from Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford, had removed gravel from the Nier for use in the construction of a roadway through his farm while Michael O'Gorman, of Glasha, Ballymacarbry, had removed boulders and rocks to use in bank protection works on his farm. Clonmel District Court was told this week that Michael O'Gorman had also dug out the bed of a tributary of the Nier, and that this tributary was an important salmon-producing water.
IFI told the court that had the farmers contacted them about their plans, advice and guidance would have been provided and it would have been possible to undertake certain works under IFI supervision from July to September. Solicitor Dolph McGrath, who represented both farmers, entered a plea and submitted that they were hard-working young farmers who had "learned an expensive lesson" and had not intentionally set out to cause environmental damage.
In his judgment, Judge Terence Finn noted that the works carried out had been ill-considered and ill-advised — adding that the defendants could have acquired the gravel and boulders they needed from a quarry. He convicted both defendants. Michael O'Gorman was fined €1,000 and directed to pay legal costs to IFI. A second charge against him for works on the Nier tributary was marked proven and taken into account. Oliver O'Gorman was also fined €1,000 with legal costs.
Speaking yesterday, IFI regional director David McInerney said: "In no circumstances is it permissible to remove materials from a river for use, as in this case, for construction purposes. "IFI is seeking the assistance and co-operation of farmers and landowners as the primary custodians of the natural environment, not to engage in works likely to have effects on the fisheries and aquatic environment."
Source: Irish Examiner - Farmers Fined for Using River Gravel for Building Works
