A fuel company with a registered address in Dundalk has been fined €5,000 euro for selling washed diesel to unsuspecting motorists in Limerick.
NR Filling Station Limited had pleaded not guilty to the charge at St Anne’s, Pennywell on the Dublin Road in Limerick on July 12th 2011.
The station, which traded under various names, closed down shortly after the inspection.
Revenue official Linda Ryan gave evidence of taking six samples of fuel from two separate pumps on July 12th 2011.
Analysis of two of the samples carried out the following month showed the presence of Blue Anthraquinone, which is one of two markers indicating so-called green diesel.
The court heard that Revenue had difficulty in finding out the owners of the station, which traded under various names.
Subsequent investigations found the company has a registered address at Newry Road, Dundalk, County Louth with Paul Nolan and Sean Doolan as directors.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly rejected an application to throw out the case due to a question mark over the chain of evidence between when the samples were taken and analysed.
Judge O’Kelly imposed the maximum penalty of €5,000, commenting on the significant risk of mechanical damage to the cars of unsuspecting motorists who bought the fuel.
He added that he did not feel it appropriate to give mitigation as the company contested the case and no directors were present in court.
