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Some 212 people were convicted last year for driving domestic vehicles with agricultural (or green) diesel. In total, €566,250 was paid out in court penalties, which marked a 13% rise in the amount paid.
Figures obtained from the Revenue Commissioners also show a 26% jump in the number of vehicles seized by Revenue, with 194 vehicles seized last year after testing positive for green diesel.
Some 556 compromise penalties in relation to green diesel were paid to Revenue, with €643,430 paid out.
Farmers were categorised as the second highest occupation to be fined for driving with green diesel. The largest group of people found to be guilty of driving with green diesel were categorised as “occupation unknown” by Revenue.
“Tackling shadow economy activity in all its forms, including any form of mineral oil fraud, is a key priority in Revenue’s drive to maximise compliance and protect legitimate trade,” a spokesperson for Revenue said.
“Revenue policy is that all detections of the misuse of marked mineral oil are investigated with a view to prosecution. The maximum penalty on summary conviction for a first offence is €5,000.”
On average last year, people caught driving with green diesel paid a fine of €2,500 each.
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