Local petrol station owners sign up to fuel-testing scheme to cut down on illegal fuel trade

Forecourt owners in Co Louth are signing up to a voluntary independent fuel-testing scheme in order to cut down on the illegal fuel trade in the area.

According to The Irish Times, the new scheme is “so motorists know we sell genuine fuel and we pay our taxes.”

Ray Prunty, who has two filling stations in Castlebellingham, is quoted as saying that he has a margin of around five cent to play with, whereas those operating illegally have as much as 50 cent.

The quality assurance scheme has been introduced by the Irish Petrol Retailers’ Association, which estimates that fuel laundering costs the Exchequer around €200 million a year.

The scheme, which will also be rolled out in other counties, was launched in Louth because of requests from local retailers.

Fifteen garages have so far signed up to the scheme and have met criteria, which includes that they have not been convicted of Revenue offences and that they have had their fuel tested to ensure it meets legal Government specification.

The scheme is voluntary, with no obligation on people to take part although it has received the backing of the Society of Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) and the Irish Road Haulage Association.

A new smartphone app is also planned to help motorists identify the nearest participating forecourt.

Source: Filling stations join forces to drive out gangs supplying cheap illegal fuel (The Irish Times)

 

Major toxic diesel sludge find in North Louth

The largest ever number of containers filled with toxic diesel sludge have been discovered in North Louth.

A total of 58,000 litres of the sludge were found in three separate locations north of Dundalk.

Customs officers discovered 34 large containers filled with toxic sludge during a planned search at Edentubber in Ravensdale.

In Balriggan, also in the north of the county, council officials were alerted after another 20 containers were found abandoned in a gateway.

The third find was made near Dundalk close to a housing development.

The sludge will be brought to a safe location before being shipped to Germany for final treatment at a cost to the taxpayer of €40,000.

The sludge is the by-product of a fuel laundering process where criminal gangs wash the coloured dye from agricultural diesel before it is sold on as ordinary road fuel.

Majority of locals believe they are being sold laundered fuel

A fuel laundering plant in Ravensdale that was raided by Gardaí and Customs Officers in April

The Seanad has been told that motorists in the North East believe the majority of petrol stations in their areas are selling laundered fuel.

The issue of diesel laundering was debated by Senators this afternoon.

Fuel smugglers are making millions by using bleaching agents to remove a green dye from cheaper rebated fuel and then selling it on as more expensive motor fuel.

Junior Minister Brian Hayes addressed the Seanad today and said that authorities on both sides of the border were working on solving that problem.