Gardaí in Offaly issued fines amounting up to €14,000 to motorists driving on ‘green’ agricultural diesel in recent days.
Members from Portlaoise and Tullamore Garda stations, along with customs and the RSA, conducted a multi-agency checkpoint on the M7 at Derryvorrigan, Borris-in-Ossory on October 12th.
They detected seven drivers with agri (green diesel) in their fuel tanks and issued fines of up to €2,000.
Driving on green
In a statement, a spokesperson for Garda Síochána Laois Offaly, said:
“4 drivers were detected driving under the influence of drugs. 1 person was arrested after they were found in possession of €700 worth of cocaine.”
“1 person was arrested on foot of a live bench warrant and brought before Portlaoise District Court. A number of fixed charge notices were issued for minor road traffic offences.”
“Finally, one driver who was stopped while attempting to drive from Dublin to Limerick on a flat tyre and then had to request emergency breakdown assistance as the spare in the boot was also flat,”
An Garda Síochána thanked road users for their patience during this operation.
Law
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.
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.
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