23/01/2015

Sinn Féin Calls For Action To End Fuel Laundering

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said that the only way to end illegal fuel laundering is to end the "differential between agricultural and non-agricultural diesel".

Mr Adams made the comments following the discovery of 40,000 litres of fuel sludge on Thursday at Drumad, Co Louth.

Mr Adams, TD for Louth, said the criminal gangs behind the operations were, "causing serious environmental and health problems, putting at risk legitimate business and jobs, as well as imposing significant financial costs on local councils and the tax payer. Over five million euro has been spent on cleaning up fuel laundering sites, most of it in county Louth".

The Sinn Féin leader also accused some Louth politicians of making irresponsible claims that drinking water had been polluted. He said: "This assertion – especially given the assurances by the Director of Services in Louth County Council that the drinking water is safe can only serve to undermine the efforts of the Council to promote tourism and business in Dundalk and its hinterland and to undermine public confidence."

(MH/CD)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

01 August 2017
Equipment Used For Laundering Fuel Seized In Co Louth
A range of equipment used for laundering fuel has been seized by Revenue Commissioners in Co Louth.
12 December 2016
Large-Scale Fuel Laundering Operation Uncovered
A large-scale fuel laundering operation has been uncovered in Counties Monaghan and Cavan, in a joint operation by Revenue Enforcement Officers and Garda Regional Support Unit.
04 November 2011
Fuel Laundering Operation Hits Water Supplies
Illegal fuel laundering is doing more damage than just costing the Exchequer lost revenue. It emerged yesterday that damage in Co Tyrone, at Aughnacloy Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW), was caused by by-products of a suspected fuel laundering operation - where agricultural 'red' diesel is stripped off the colouring and sold on as legitimate fuel.
04 November 2011
Laundering Crackdown Across Three Counties
A crackdown on laundered fuel has led to the closure of two petrol stations and the seizure of 160,000 litres of fuel as well as a sum of cash. Armed Gardai officers and Revenue Custom’s Officers seized a sum totaling €39,000 after yesterday’s raids.
22 July 2019
Car Drives Into Crowd At Dundalk Cemetery
A man is in hospital after he was struck by a car that drove towards a crowd in a County Louth graveyard. Gardaí arrested a 20-year-old man at the scene in St Patrick's Cemetery in Dundalk following the incident during the annual blessing of the graves on Sunday 21 July.