Proceedings ‘commence’ for road user running on ‘green’
Gardaí detected a vehicle running on ‘green’ (marked gas oil) whilst conducting a checkpoint earlier this week.
Clonmel Gardaí from An Garda Síochána Tipperary carried out the checkpoint with Revenue’s customs and excise division on Wednesday, March 30th, 2022.
A spokesperson confirmed that “proceedings have commenced”.
Meanwhile, Gardaí seized another vehicle for non-display of motor tax for more than 600 days and issued a FCPN to the offender.
Fuel laundering plant
Last month, we reported that Revenue uncovered a fuel laundering plant in Co Louth on Monday, March 14th, 2022.
Revenue officers, with the Armed Support Unit of An Garda Síochána’s assistance, carried out a search, under warrant, of a commercial premises in Kilkerly, Dundalk.
During the intelligence-led operation targeting fuel laundering, Gardaí detected and seized the following items:
- 14,000 litres of marked mineral oil;
- Two oil tankers involved in the fuel laundering process, one containing 8,000 litres of laundered fuel;
- A van which acted as a mobile oil laundry and contained oil laundering apparatus;
- 400kgs of bleaching earth, a product used in the laundering of prescribed markers from rebated mineral oil.
In addition, they detected laundered diesel in a private motor vehicle at the premises and seized it.
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. Meanwhile, 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.
 whilst conducting a checkpoint in Co Tipperary, Ireland, earlier this week.){kind=link}