The director of a dairy company has been fined €2,500 for putting green diesel into his car.

John O’Sullivan, of Ballymackowen House, Clonakilty, who is the director of You n Me Milk Ltd, was brought before Clonakilty District Court on a charge of using marked oil while driving.

Darragh Healy, acting on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the court that on August 3rd 2025 at around 10am, Mr O’Sullivan was stopped at a checkpoint at Ballinascarthy crossroads on the N71 near Clonakilty.

A fuel sample taken at the checkpoint tested positive for marked gas oil, or green diesel.

Mr O’Sullivan admitted he had put a small amount of diesel into his vehicle’s fuel tank at about 1.30am the previous day as he needed to drive to Dunmanway to deal with an emergency involving trapped cattle.

Representing himself, the defendant said he was stopped later that morning, shortly after adding the fuel, and that he had not refuelled the vehicle again.

Solicitor Darragh Healy told the court that the reading from the marked fuel in the car was relatively high at 119%.

Owners of the vehicle, You n Me Milk Ltd, faced two charges, which were later dropped after an agreement with the State.

With no prior convictions, Mr O’Sullivan was found guilty and fined €2,500 with one month to pay.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.