Armagh man caught trying to launder diesel in garda raid

A 36-year-old man from County Armagh pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to attempting to remove tax markers from gas oil without Revenue Commissioners' consent. The offence occurred at a rural property near Castleblaney, County Monaghan, in September 2011. Gardaí and customs officials conducted a surveillance operation and discovered over 13,000 litres of laundered diesel on the premises. The defendant was apprehended as he attempted to flee the scene. The court heard evidence regarding the significant tax differential between diesel fuel and mineral oil at the time. The defence submitted that the defendant played only a minor role in the operation and had cooperated with gardaí. Judge Melanie Greally noted the seriousness of the offence and indicated a substantial penalty was warranted. She ordered a community services report and adjourned sentencing to 19 December 2016.