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Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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‘€5,000 for a full tank of fuel’ – hefty fine for green diesel culprit

A van driver was handed a €5,000 fine for travelling on agricultural ‘green’ diesel over the weekend.

Cork West Road Policing Unit and Custom officers conducted a checkpoint on Saturday, June 12th, 2021.

In a brief post on social media, a spokesperson for Garda Síochána – Cork, Kerry & Limerick – Southern Region – said:

“€5,000 for a full tank of fuel, Cork West Road Policing Unit and Customs officers were doing a checkpoint where a van was fuelled with green diesel (expensive fill) another driver went rogue and went for no tax/NCT, and insurance #seized, and a learner driver went solo.”

Revenue defines marked gas oil (MGO) as “diesel on which mineral oil tax at a reduced rate has been paid on condition that it is used only for purposes that qualify for that reduced rate”.

Furthermore, it is chemically marked and dyed green to deter misuse for purposes to which a higher tax rate applies.

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Revenue markers are added to marked gas oil and marked kerosene. The purpose is to distinguish between the standard tax rate of auto fuel (road diesel) and the reduced tax rates of these products.

The markers added to Marked Gas Oil produce a green colour, and the markers added to marked kerosene produce a red colour.

On its website, Revenue states that it is illegal to use marked gas oil or marked kerosene in road vehicles.

Where Revenue officers suspect or detect the presence of the fuel marker in a road vehicle, it is liable to seizure. The owner and, or driver, Revenue added, are liable to prosecution.

€2,000 fine for green diesel culprit

Meanwhile, we reported that Gardaí in Kildare fined a driver using agricultural ‘green’ diesel €2,000 last month.

Roads Policing Unit Naas performed the multi-agency checkpoint with Revenue, Customs and Excise and Department of Social Protection officers.

In total, customs officers examined 50 vehicles and detected multiple road traffic-related offences.

In a post on Facebook, a spokesperson for Kildare Garda Division said:

“Customs officers checked 50 vehicles – one road vehicle was being driven with green diesel. An on-the-spot fine of €2,000 issued.”

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