Monaghan motorist fined €2,500 for having illegal fuel in car’s tank

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 39-year-old woman has been fined €2,500 at Dundalk Court for using illegal fuel in a car she was driving last year.

Ireneusz Przytulski, Highfield, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, failed to appear to answer two summonses brought by The Revenue Commissioners after she was stopped by Customs at Newtownbalregan, Dundalk, on July 16, 2024.

A Customs & Excise Officer gave evidence that a roadside test indicated the presence of a proscribed marker in the fuel.

In an interview the defendant admitted responsibility for the fuel in the vehicle.

The presence of a proscribed marker was confirmed. The fuel was designated for agricultural vehicles.

State Solicitor for Co. Louth, Fergus Mullen said the summonses were for “keeping” and “using” mineral oil with markers proscribed by regulation.

It would be appropriate to convict of “using” as Ms Przytulski was not the registered owner. She had no previous convictions.

The maximum fine is €5,000 which the court could mitigate to a 50pc reduction.

Judge Valerie Corcoran imposed a €2,500 fine, nine months to pay.

The “keeping” summons was struck out by consent.