A Donegal man found using red diesel in a van has been fined €2,500.
The case of Kai Houston was heard before Letterkenny District Court.
Houston, of Letnathraw, St Johnston and Cil Greine, Letterkenny, pleaded guilty to the offence and a Customs Officer outlined the case to State Solicitor for Donegal, Mr Kieran Dillon.
He said that a vehicle, a silver Ford Transit, was detained on April 19, 2024.at Long Lane, Letterkenny.
Gardai had contact the Customs to sample fuel from the tank of the vehicle and Customs officials attended. The fuel taken from the vehicle was red in colour and the samples were sent to the State laboratory.
When they returned, they were positive for the presence of prescribed markers associated with marked mineral oil.
The Customs Officer told Judge Emile Daly that he made two attempts to interview Houston, who did not turn up for interview.
Mr Patsy Gallagher, solicitor for Houston, said his client did gave a “full and frank statement” top Gardai after that. He said Houston was “somewhat indisposed” for a number of months in Northern Ireland recently.
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“He purchased the van one day prior to this and it is an old, farm van,” Mr Gallagher said. “He has no previous convictions for this type of matter and I would ask the court to allow full mitigation. He is a man who has made full and frank admissions and he accepts it.”
In light of the early plea, Judge Daly convicted Houston and fined him €2,500 – which is the minimum penalty for such offending.