Two men have been convicted of possessing 16 illegal salmon nets near the River Drowes in Co. Donegal.

Philip and Eoghan McCluskey of Bundoran, Donegal, received fines and costs totalling €6,000 in relation to the offence, which occurred on the 25th July 2021 on the Drowes River, Magheracar, Bundoran.

Among the items in the father and sons’ possession on the night were two large holdall bags, which contained 16 nets, wooden pegs, 20 empty coal sacks, balaclavas, a knife, a throw line, binoculars, and a camouflage jacket which was covered in wild salmon scales.

The case was heard at Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, the 21st April 2023.

The IFI Mobile Support Unit (MSU) for fisheries protection, and local fisheries staff, discovered evidence of possible illegal activity taking place on the lower Drowes River.

The MSU, working together with local Fisheries Officers, carried out covert surveillance of the river which led to the defendants being apprehended.