Petrol-tampering case confirmed as State tests 48 stations

Thirty-one complaints of “petrol-stretching” have been made to the Revenue Commissioners since July in counties Mayo, Roscommon and Galway.

Mayo had most, with 15 complaints made about stretching, which involves adding kerosene to the fuel "to defraud motorists and the State", according to Minister for Finance Michael Noonan. There were eight complaints in Roscommon and four in Galway.

Mr Noonan said 48 filling stations had been tested for petrol stretching and one was confirmed to have kerosene in the mix. Revenue is considering prosecution.

He said that since 2011 a total of 130 filling stations were closed, mainly for breaches of licensing conditions.

He also said the Revenue and the UK Customs and Revenue authorities had identified a more effective “fuel marker” to test for corrupted fuel. It is expected to be introduced in Ireland and Britain next year after consultation with the oil industry and other stakeholders.

In parliamentary replies to Fianna Fáil TDs Brendan Smith and Dara Calleary and Independent Denis Naughten, the Minister said the State laboratory was currently reviewing its existing procedures "with a view to expediting testing which, I am informed, is quite complex".

TDs across Border, midlands and some western counties have raised the issue in the Dáil on a number of occasions because of the increase in complaints where the engines of vehicles, particularly new cars, have been destroyed by the added kerosene in the fuel.

Mr Noonan said motorists should take care where they sourced petrol and report suspicions to the Revenue.