Menu
24/05/2006
Farmer fined for damage to area of land
A Co. Fermanagh farmer has been fined £20,000 and ordered to return an Area of Special Scientific Interest to its former state.
Mr David Foster,30, of Knockninny Hill, Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, was charged with damaging the area in July 2004 in a case brought by the Environment and Heritage Service, an agency within The Department of the Environment (DoE).
At Enniskillen Magistrates Court, Mr Foster was charged with breaching the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002.
An estimated 14 hectares of the ASSI had been severely damaged through deforestation of woodland, drainage of grassland and agricultural improvement through reseeding.
The magistrate found him guilty on two charges of the Order and sentenced him to pay a fine of £10,000 for each charge. A Restoration Order was also granted which compels Mr Foster to restore the site to its former condition at his own expense.
The area of land at Knockninny Hill was declared an ASSI by the DoE as an ASSI in July 1997 under the provisions of the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. According to the DoE all known landowners and occupiers received notification of the declaration.
The area features localised exposures of limestone pavement, Karst scenery, and is of biological interest due to the quality and diversity of the woodland and grassland habitat, together with the rich fauna that this supports.
(SP/KMcA)
Mr David Foster,30, of Knockninny Hill, Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, was charged with damaging the area in July 2004 in a case brought by the Environment and Heritage Service, an agency within The Department of the Environment (DoE).
At Enniskillen Magistrates Court, Mr Foster was charged with breaching the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002.
An estimated 14 hectares of the ASSI had been severely damaged through deforestation of woodland, drainage of grassland and agricultural improvement through reseeding.
The magistrate found him guilty on two charges of the Order and sentenced him to pay a fine of £10,000 for each charge. A Restoration Order was also granted which compels Mr Foster to restore the site to its former condition at his own expense.
The area of land at Knockninny Hill was declared an ASSI by the DoE as an ASSI in July 1997 under the provisions of the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. According to the DoE all known landowners and occupiers received notification of the declaration.
The area features localised exposures of limestone pavement, Karst scenery, and is of biological interest due to the quality and diversity of the woodland and grassland habitat, together with the rich fauna that this supports.
(SP/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2024
Ergo Invests £4.5m In NI Expansion
Leading IT solutions provider, Ergo, will invest £4.5 million to expand into Northern Ireland, creating 40 high-quality jobs over the next three years.
Ergo Invests £4.5m In NI Expansion
Leading IT solutions provider, Ergo, will invest £4.5 million to expand into Northern Ireland, creating 40 high-quality jobs over the next three years.
14 November 2024
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
16 May 2017
Call For Action After Fish Found Dead In Co Antrim
The Alliance Party is calling for action to be taken after over 40 fish were found dead in the Woodburn reservoir catchment area, near Carrickfergus in County Antrim. East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has written to NI Water and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to flag the issues and ascertain why it happened.
Call For Action After Fish Found Dead In Co Antrim
The Alliance Party is calling for action to be taken after over 40 fish were found dead in the Woodburn reservoir catchment area, near Carrickfergus in County Antrim. East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has written to NI Water and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to flag the issues and ascertain why it happened.
21 March 2019
Bereaved Families Pay Tribute To Tragic Cookstown Teens
Families of the tree tragic teens who died in a crush at a St Patricks event on Sunday have paid tribute to their lost loved ones. The young victims, 16-year-old Connor Currie, 17-year-old Lauren Bullock and 17-year-old Morgan Barnard, died after the incident at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on Sunday 17 March.
Bereaved Families Pay Tribute To Tragic Cookstown Teens
Families of the tree tragic teens who died in a crush at a St Patricks event on Sunday have paid tribute to their lost loved ones. The young victims, 16-year-old Connor Currie, 17-year-old Lauren Bullock and 17-year-old Morgan Barnard, died after the incident at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on Sunday 17 March.
02 March 2017
'No Evidence' Of Shots Fired At House In L'Derry
Police have said there was "no evidence" of shots being fired at a house in L'Derry. The incident happened in the Cornshell Fields area shortly after 11pm on Monday, 27 February. A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police have carried out a number of enquiries and there is no evidence to suggest that shots were fired.
'No Evidence' Of Shots Fired At House In L'Derry
Police have said there was "no evidence" of shots being fired at a house in L'Derry. The incident happened in the Cornshell Fields area shortly after 11pm on Monday, 27 February. A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police have carried out a number of enquiries and there is no evidence to suggest that shots were fired.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
