A FARMER who ran his car on cheap diesel was handed a €3,000 fine at Macroom District Court last week.

John McCarthy, of Commons, Crookstown, was prosecuted by Irish Customs for contravening Section 121B of the Finance Act.

The court heard that on February 4th last, Garda and customs officers carried out an examination of Mr McCarthy’s car, finding that he had filled it with cheap diesel.
Defence solicitor, Patrick Goold, said his client worked as a farmer and agricultural contractor and accepted full responsibility.

‘He has five children and his son filled up the car. He has an account with Ross Oil and is getting diesel in respect of his farming vehicles. He fully accepts his responsibility. He has assured me that this is not going to happen again,’ said Mr Goold.
The court heard that Mr McCarthy had no previous convictions but was known to the Revenue team. He previously paid fines for two detections of driving with cheap diesel in May 2022.

Judge Joanne Carroll ordered Mr McCarthy to pay a €3,000 fine within six months.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.