‘Ridiculous’ coarse and pike fishing fees criticised by councillors

The removal of coarse and pike fishing fees for County Roscommon has been called for by members of Roscommon County Council.

A motion by Cllrs Emer Kelly and Domnick Connolly, at a recent meeting, claimed that the local fishing sector had seen a significant drop in interest in the county due to the fees “and it is having a detrimental impact on tourism in the county”.

Cllr Kelly said problems with fishing permits had been an ongoing issue in the county.

“Initially we had hoped to create a by-law around this but it is outside the function of the council,” she said.

She added that the midlands area was the only part of the country that required a permit and charges for coarse fishing fees.

“In every other area in the country it is free to do that. It has had a very negative impact on tourism and the economy in the area.

“I know recently the opportunity to hold the European Championship in the county was missed due to the permit,” she said.

“It is important to note that none of the monies from the permits have been reinvested back into this area.”

Cllr Connolly said it was a big issue on the River Suck and hurt the county’s tourism and economic ambitions.

“At present a fishing licence is being enforced specifically for coarse fishing on the River Suck,” he said. “While coarse fishing is technically listed on the national licence requirement, enforcement in most parts of the country is non-existent.”

He said he was working with Senator Gareth Scahill and they had engaged directly with Inland Fisheries Ireland. “But unfortunately they are not prepared to move on the enforcement of this,” he said.

He added that they had been contacted by two highly respected local fishing champions. “They believe County Roscommon is in an ideal position to host a major European coarse fishing competition in June 2026,” the Fine Gael councillor said. “But this unnecessary and selective enforcement is holding us back.”

Cllr John Keogh said he fully supported the motion, Cllr Sean Moylan also expressed his support, and Cllr Tom Crosby called the licence “ridiculous”.

Cllr Ruth Conboy said that the River Suck’s tourism potential needed to be embraced.

“This is such a no brainer,” she said.

Cllr Michael Holland also lent his support, saying that the late Cllr Anthony Waldron had fishing on the River Suck high on his agenda.

Cllr Laurence Fallon said he believed that this issue had been rectified four years ago.