A long-serving member of the Southern Regional Fisheries Board has resigned following his conviction for salmon poaching at Waterford Circuit Court.
John Doherty (66), of the Quay, Cheekpoint, Co Waterford, was fined £125 for salmon fishing in the River Suir during the closed season on August 30th, 1995.
His case was appealed to the Circuit Court by the Director of Public Prosecutions following dismissal in the District Court two years ago.
Doherty told the court he had found five dead salmon in his weir.
This was a most unusual occurrence which he had never seen in 40 years of fishing, he said. However, Judge Patrick McCartan said he could not ignore the coincidence that gardai were waiting when Doherty found the dead fish, which suggested there was a history to the case.
Defence counsel Mr John O'Kelly asked the judge to consider applying the Probation Act, as a conviction would mean Doherty would have to resign from the board.
However, Judge McCartan said he could not apply the Probation Act when a long-term member of the board was charged with an offence under the Fisheries Act. This, he said, would fly in the face of all reason and send out the wrong message from the court.
Doherty tendered his resignation from the board at a meeting on Tuesday night.
Board chairman Mr David Willis commended Doherty for turning up to the meeting to resign in person.
However, a regional fisheries officer, Mr Michael Hickey, said it was unacceptable for a board member to be treated so leniently when "ordinary" fishermen received much harsher punishments.