Firms in court over fish kill during flood works

Three companies working on one of the biggest drainage projects in Europe have appeared in court on charges linked to a fish kill and disturbing spawning beds.

Byrne Looby Partners Water Services Ltd, Rivus Ltd, and Wills Bros Ltd, are being prosecuted by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) over an alleged incident on May 10, 2017, during work on the Bandon flood relief scheme in Co Cork.

All three companies face two charges under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 as amended, of injuring or disturbing a spawning bed, bank of shallow where the spawn or fry of salmon, trout or ells may be, and of injuring or disturbing the spawn or fry of salmon, trout or eels.