Laundered fuel is an area affecting consumers nationwide, causing untold damage to cars. Research carried out by AA Ireland has found that 9% of Irish motorists suspect that they have been sold laundered fuel in the past. The AA Motor Insurance survey also found that 55% of those who suspect that they were sold laundered fuel also believed that their car was damaged as a result.

Conor Faughnan, director of consumer affairs at the AA, said: “We have seen a number of reports recently of seizures of laundered fuel, and while there have been significant improvements made in tackling this issue, the problem hasn’t been wiped out as of yet.

“While fuel prices have been dropping in the past months, average prices for petrol and diesel are still approximately 7c higher per litre than in August 2016. As a result of the higher prices, motorists are keen to save anywhere they can and because of this may be tempted by a dealer offering fuel at unrealistically low prices. While it is important to shop around when it comes to purchasing petrol or diesel to ensure you make savings where you can, it’s also important to use common sense when it comes to prices. If the deal seems too good to be true, then it’s very likely that the fuel you’re purchasing is not up to scratch.”

The survey, which had over 3,000 respondents, revealed that overall motorists in Ulster were most suspicious – with 16.67% believing they may have been sold laundered fuel – while Munster motorists were least suspicious – with 6.89% suspecting that they had been sold laundered fuel.

“If you suspect that you may have been sold laundered fuel, you should report it to the service station,” Faughnan added. “The AA offers fuel assist, which will have the fuel drained and refilled with regulated fuel, and the contaminated fuel is then recycled.”

In a county-by-county breakdown, Cavan and Monaghan motorists proved to be the most suspicious, with 30.48% of motorists in Cavan believing they had been sold laundered fuel, while 28.57% of motorists in Monaghan also suspected the same. Motorists in counties Waterford and Mayo proved to be the least suspicious – with just 1.72% of those surveyed from Waterford and 2.78% of drivers in Mayo suspicious about the fuel they had purchased. CL

Six in 10 people missing out on medical expense refunds

Although tax claims are typically done at the end of the year, there is no wrong time to submit them, especially if they have been building up for a while. The latest customer survey from leading tax refund specialists Taxback.com, has revealed that 56% of respondents did not claim a tax refund for medical expenses incurred in the last four years.

Barry Flanagan, senior tax manager at Taxback.com, commented: “It wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume that the vast majority of our survey respondents would have visited a doctor or a dentist in the last four years. Yet, just four in 10 of them applied for a tax refund on the costs incurred.”

Taxback.com says that having to produce receipts of doctor visits, etc, can put people off, but there are two remedies that will assist people in this regard. Start keeping your receipts in a shoebox or a drawer in the future and if you have not done this, request copies of receipts from the GP/chemist, etc – some practices charge a small fee for this, but that should not be prohibitive, ie you’re still going to get back more than you’ve spent. In addition, most pharmacies will be able to give you a year-end receipt, totalling your spending during the year.

Flanagan concluded: “Most people incur medical expenses throughout the year – particularly parents with young children. Trips to the doctor’s surgery become commonplace for a lot of families over the years, and every trip can cost someone anywhere from €40 to €70. So if a couple with three children takes even just five trips to their GP in a year that bill hits approximately €250 – you could get €50 of this back from the Revenue.”

Aldi spirits head and shoulders above the rest

Aldi has taken a gold for a Cognac and two silvers for its white rum and vodka at The International Spirits Challenge 2017, the world’s most authoritative, respected and influential spirits competition.

The Chevalier Cognac VS (€19.29) is a deserving winner of gold and offers a classic, lively and aromatic taste, packed with dry, fruity flavours and a mellow finish.

Old Hopking White Rum (€12.69) is a light-bodied rum packed with subtle and dry flavours. Exceptionally smooth, with light floral notes, it is great for making summer cocktails.

Top marks also went to Aldi’s Tamova Vodka (€12.99). Triple distilled, with a clean and crisp taste, and a slight hint of vanilla and pepper, this product works as a fine base to any vodka-based cocktail.

All available in 129 Aldi stores nationwide now, while stocks last.

Irish Pre-Packed Chicken

When it comes to pre-packed chicken, there can often be some confusion from consumers about what is really Irish and what’s not. Now, O’Brien Fine Foods has unveiled a new range of precooked, sliced and ready-to-serve chicken and turkey that is 100% Bord Bia approved. Homebird is also the only range to use quality sliced chicken and turkey that has been raised on Irish farms.

O’Brien Fine Foods, the people behind the Brady Family brand, has teamed up with Manor Farm to produce Homebird chicken, while the turkey is supplied by Hogan’s Farm.

John O’Brien, managing director of O’Brien Fine Foods, said: “To be the first to use 100% Bord Bia-approved Irish chicken and turkey in Ireland is testament to the commitment of our partners, Manor Farm and Hogan’s Farm. Together, we aim to deliver great tasting, quality products and we hope that Homebird will be pioneering in this category.”

Homebird is available in supermarkets nationwide in three flavours, in 90g and 100g for €3.50 or two packs for €6.

For more information, please visit @realhomebird. CL