Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has welcomed a conviction against Uisce Éireann following a wastewater discharge that polluted an important trout spawning and nursery habitat in Co Cavan.

The incident occurred on July 1st 2023, when a pumping station released effluent into the Cavan town river. The discharge caused sewage fungus to blanket a 2km stretch of the riverbed downstream.

A total of 150 brown trout were killed, ranging in size from juvenile to adult.

Uisce Éireann was found guilty of breaching water pollution legislation and was ordered to pay a €3,500 fine along with €4,158 in costs and expenses.

Speaking after the judgment, Dr Milton Matthews, IFI’s North-Western Director, said the agency welcomed the outcome.

“This contamination event should never have happened,” he said. “It resulted in the needless and avoidable death of a significant number of brown trout.”

The case was heard at Cavan District Court on October 3rd 2025.

IFI has urged the public to continue reporting suspected pollution incidents, fish kills, habitat destruction or illegal fishing to its 24-hour confidential line at 0818 34 74 24.