Over 1,000 Fish Dead in Cavan River

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is probing a significant fish kill on the Ballinagh River in County Cavan, where more than 1,000 dead fish have been recorded along a one-kilometre stretch.

IFI staff found deceased brown trout, stickleback, minnow, and roach during an on-site inspection.

Water samples have been collected, and investigations are underway to identify the source of the suspected pollution.

Dr Milton Matthews, Director of IFI’s North-Western River Basin District, said: “High temperatures and low water flow do not seem to be the main cause of this incident. The needless loss of so many young fish, especially at a time when Ireland’s natural environment faces many pressures, is deeply disappointing.”

IFI was alerted to the contamination by a member of the public on Sunday evening, 13 July 2025, and will continue its active investigation.

The agency urges anyone who notices fish kills or suspects water pollution to report it immediately via IFI’s confidential 24-hour hotline at 0818 34 74 24.