Inland Fisheries Ireland has secured a conviction against Uisce Éireann after sewage was found to have been discharged into a wild brown trout spawning river in Co Cavan.
Untreated sewage effluent from Uisce Éireann's network was found to have entered the Pound River, a tributary of the Mountnugent River, which flows into Lough Sheelin.
IFI took samples after the incident and detected a level of ammonia in the water that was toxic to fish, insects, and other aquatic life.
The incident occurred in May of last year, and the case was heard before Cavan District Court on 7 February.
Uisce Éireann was subsequently found to have committed a water pollution breach and must now pay a fine of €3,000 as well as IFI’s costs and expenses of €6,158 for the case.
In recognition of the pollution’s impact, Uisce Éireann also agreed to contribute €12,000 to a future habitat improvement plan, which will remediate the Pound River for 1.3km downstream of the discharge location and help restore trout stocks.
IFI invested €20,000 in 2024 on improving the river’s habitat upstream of the discharge location.
David McInerney, IFI’s Director in the Shannon region, has said the pollution event had very serious effects.
In a statement, he said: "The high level of ammonia in the water would have almost certainly killed the newly-hatched fish fry, which would have been only 2-3cm long at the time.
"It caused a significant deterioration to the river’s water quality downstream, which was visually evident for 1300m as far as its confluence with the Mountnugent River.
"This would have impacted brown trout stock, their spawning, and their habitat within the stream.
"Uisce Éireann’s contribution of €12,000 to future habitat improvement works is most welcome and reflects its commitment to improving the river habitat," Mr McInerney added.
