Local group wants Lough Neagh taken into public ownership
Local fishermen and farmers in the North have formed an association to campaign for Lough Neagh to be taken into public ownership.
The British monarchy granted ownership of the waterway to Arthur Chichester in 1691 as a reward for his military service in Ireland.
The rights passed down through the generations and are now officially owned by a deceased London banker, Anthony Ashley Cooper, the son of the 10th Earl of Shaftesbury.
The philanthropic earl was murdered in France last November, prompting concerns that the lake may be sold by his family to cover his alleged debts.
This could see a private businessman taking control of the lake and its associated fishing rights
Local farmers and fishermen have now formed a group seeking to take the facility into public ownership to save its tourism potential and their own livelihoods.
