I have been made aware of a number of comments which have appeared recently on a Facebook page in relation to the sand bed at the top of The Flats.  There are several inaccuracies in the comments and for the purpose of clarification I am supplying the following information.

I have been informed that the sand bed is part of the fishery belonging to Mr Cecil Gibson which runs from above the footbridge at the Carrick Rocks and extends downstream on the right bank to the bridge at Carrick Mills.  The ownership of the fishery, including the sand bed, is registered in Mr Gibson’s name with Land Registry.  Roe Angling Ltd. never at any time owned nor claimed ownership of any part of this fishery.  

Following a dispute some years ago regarding ownership between Mr Gibson and The Honourable the Irish Society they accepted Mr Gibson’s title to the fishery.  Since the resolution of that dispute Roe Angling Ltd. leased the fishing rights of the sand bed from Mr Gibson for a nominal fee.  I was personally involved in the agreement of that lease.  Members should note that at this same time the Directors also agreed a lease with another landowner for a considerably longer stretch of fishing on the left bank which had previously been lost to us - the intention being the same as with the sand bed to secure fishing for our members.

Regrettably, the lease with Mr Gibson has not been renewed but it has been agreed that our members can continue to fish the sand bed for the duration of the 2023 season.  I am aware that this decision will be very disappointing to the few Roe Angling members who fish the sand bed but the decision was taken within the terms of the lease, a legal document, and we have no grounds to oppose it, given Mr Gibson’s title to the fishing rights.

I understand that there were a number of reasons why the lease was not renewed, one being the number of anglers fishing in this very restricted area, the fishing extends to less than 20 metres of legally fishable water; another being the continuing challenge from some of our members to Mr Gibson’s title.  I think a lot of good will was squandered and it is a matter of great regret that this area which was available to us for a number of years has now been lost.

E. Mullan

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