Mayo pensioner fisherman told fishery officers to 'f**k off'

Belmullet court heard that Erris fisherman (73) poaching salmon at sea refused to stop for fishery officers

By Anton McNulty Published 10th Jun 2026, 19:00 BST A fisherman in Erris pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a net to catch salmon off the Mayo coast | IFI Belmullet court heard that Erris fisherman (73) poaching salmon at sea refused to stop for fishery officers Sign up to our Mayo Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Mayo Live within your account.

An officer with Inland Fisheries Ireland who detected a pensioner fisherman illegally fishing for salmon off the north Mayo was told to 'f**k off' when they asked to board his fishing vessel.

Patrick McAndrew (73) of Porturlin , Ballina appeared before Belmullet District Court where he pleaded guilty to possession of a net, the use of a boat to commit an offence and possession of a salmon and refusing to provide a name after he was detected illegally fishing for salmon on July 15, 2025.

The court heard that officers from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) observed illegal salmon fishing along the north Mayo coast involving an eleven metre half deck fishing vessel.

Fishery officer, Michael Wilson explained that when the fishing vessel started to return to Porturlin Harbour, they launched the IFI RIB boat to intercept the vessel.

However, the court heard the boat headed back out to sea and Officer Wilson said when they caught up with it they were told to 'f**k off' when they asked to board the vessel.

Officer Wilson said the two boats were side by side and Mr McAndrew refused to stop and people on board also refused to give their name when asked.

Judge Ciarán Liddy was informed by Officer Wilson that because of the dangerous risks involved in the operation they pulled back and returned to Porturlin Harbour. He commented that when they reached the harbour, gardaí were present as were a number of local people who had gathered.

When questioned by Mr Peter Loftus, solicitor for Mr McAndrew, Officer Wilson confirmed that during the operation fishery officers were able to identify the name of the vessel and its number.

Officer Wilson also confirmed that the captured salmon and the net was thrown overboard.

Mr James Ward, solicitor for Inland Fisheries Ireland which brought the prosecution, said that they were not asking for the fishing vessel to be seized but were asking for the defendant to pay costs and expenses totalling €3,464.

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Mr Loftus said his client has been fishing all his life and he had no previous convictions whatsoever. He said that on the day he took a chance but was observed and detected and accepted that he tried to evade the fishery officers.

Mr Loftus said his client pleaded guilty at an early stage and Mr Ward accepted that a certain course of action was to be taken by the defendant from the outset. He asked Judge Liddy to be lenient regarding the costs.

Judge Liddy commented that what Mr McAndrew did in trying to evade the fishery officers was 'not his finest day' and that the officers were just doing their job.

He directed that if Mr McAndrew pays €3464 in costs to the IFI he will give Mr McAndrew the benefit of the Probation Act. He adjourned finalisation of the case to September 9 to allow for the payment to be made.