Article in the "Roscommon Champion" dated 16th May 2003

The following is a copy of a letter - which is self-explanatory - sent to the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board - and forwarded for publication, to the Roscommon Champion:

Eamonn Cusack,
Shannon Regional Fisheries Board,
Limerick.

Dear Sir,

Thank you Mr. Cusack, thank you very much for your vision and your foresight. Thank you very much for the introduction of this tax, licence, permit or whatever you wish to call it. Thank you very much for one of the most enjoyable fishing weekends I and twenty of my colleagues have ever enjoyed. Yes, due to the 'permit' our annual pike fishing outing, between our club and Dublin bus, was switched from Roscommon to Arva in Co. Cavan.
Our initial plan was to base our group in Roscommon town and fish the surrounding Suck valley. This was sadly spoiled by the introduction of this ' Permit'. Each member of our group agreed that, on principal alone, we would not purchase a 'Permit' in any form, which regrettably led to the cancellation of our hotel booking. We decided instead to take our business elsewhere and what a weekend we had.
The Brefni arms Hotel in Arva provided superb accomodation and food, and catered for all our angling needs. The nearby lakes of hollybank, Guliadoo, and Glasshouse provided excellent sport, where we caught and released nearly ninety pike!
I would like to extend our special thanks to the proprietor, Eamonn Gray and his staff for their kind welcome. The swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna cured many a sore head!
However, it is the business people of the Suck Valley and the other Shannon areas I commiserate with.
Taking into consideration travel, accommodation, food and entertainment I conservatively estimate that our trip would have given 5000Euro to the economy of Roscommon Town. But again, as a direct result of this permit we took our business elsewhere. I am sure this type of business, especially in March, just cannot be turned away and recouped later in the year.
Certainly it won't be recouped from any of our group, because as long as this permit is in existence none of our group will fish the Shannon Region. Already plans are taking place to return to Arva next year, such was our welcome.
I am deeply saddened that we can't fish one of our favorite regions anymore, i.e the Suck. Nevertheless, I believe we must vote with our feet and wallets and make a stand and as a group we certainly intend to.
To the hotel, B&B owners and business people of the region I apologise for our actions, but I feel it is the only way we can be heard. Once more, to Mr. Cusack and the S.R.F.B. thank you for pointing us in the direction of Arva. I am sure such foresight is much appreciated by the business people in Roscommon and the Shannon area.

Yours Sincerely,
Sean O' Brien.

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