Motorists caught using green diesel lose heavily

  MOTORISTS caught using agricultural diesel will pay dearly if they are caught, was the stark warning coming from Tuam District Court this week. [private] A number of motorists who were spot checked around the Tuam area last year were handed down hefty fines ranging from €750 up to €2,500 by Judge Geoffrey Browne. Kevin Joseph Murray, Ardgaineen, Claregalway was caught on February 19, 2010 with illegal fuel in his tank. He received a fine of €750. Martin Lawrence, 2 Kilkenny Close, Castlebar, Co Mayo was stopped on August 9 in Kilcloghans. His solicitor told the Judge that he was caring for his sick wife and seven children and that he would need some extra time to pay. Judge Browne fined the defendant €2,500 and said it was expensive diesel for him at the end of the day. Another motorist caught using green diesel was Pat McDonagh, 42 Dublin Road, Tuam who was stopped on May 10, 2010 at the N17 Industrial Estate, Galway Road, Tuam. His solicitor told the Court that his client had run out of diesel and had taken a chance by putting just €5 or €10 worth of diesel in his pick up. Marked Gas Oil, known as green diesel, has an added green dye and is subject to a VAT rate of 13.5 per cent. It is only allowed to be used in agricultural applications or plant equipment. The regular diesel available at filling stations is clear and is subject to a VAT 21 per cent and is used in all road-going diesel vehicles. [/private]