Between 2011 and 2013, almost 120 retailers in Ireland were caught selling illegal fuel to customers.

Data obtained by the Irish Farmers Journal through the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners shows that 119 retailers in the Republic of Ireland were found guilty relating to the breach of fuel trader licence conditions. Fuel fraud mainly relates to the sale of washed diesel.

As outlined in Figure 1, in 2012 a total of 57 retailers were charged with illegal sale of fuel with the majority (33) coming from the border, midlands and west regions of the country.

In 2013, the number of retailers prosecuted fell to 30, with the largest proportion of illegal operations having been found in the east and south east of Ireland.

There were a further 32 premises prosecuted in 2011 but there is no geographical breakdown of where those retailers were based. There are no figures available yet for 2014.

The maximum penalty for a retailer caught selling illegal fuel is a fine not exceeding €126,970, as well as a prison sentence of five years.

Separately, a total of 33 fuel laundering plants were discovered by Revenue investigators between 2010 and 2013.

Unsurprisingly, almost all (27) of the 33 locations were in the border regions. Between 2010 and 2013, 15 locations were in Monaghan, 10 were in Louth and one each in Cavan and Donegal.

The counties outside the border regions where fuel laundering sites were discovered were in Meath (two sites) and Dublin, Laois, Offaly and Waterford (one each).