Ireland Carndonagh farmer fined €2,600 over marked mineral oil
Joseph Hawes, a 45-year-old farmer from Carndonagh, County Donegal, was the subject of a case over fuel that appeared green in his 2006 Peugeot Expert van. On 19 February 2025 gardaí contacted Revenue to report that the vehicle had been seized, and fuel samples were sent to the State Laboratory for analysis. Hawes pleaded guilty at Carndonagh District Court sitting in Buncrana to keeping marked mineral oil, and a separate charge of using the fuel was withdrawn. The judge convicted him and fined him €2,600, with six months to pay, a sentence reported in April 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced22 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Joseph Hawes, a 45-year-old farmer from Carndonagh, is the subject of the case.
- The fuel appeared green in colour and tested positive for prescribed chemical markers during roadside testing.
- The vehicle involved was a 2006-registered Peugeot Expert van.
- Where
- The case concerns Carndonagh, County Donegal, and was heard at Carndonagh District Court sitting in Buncrana.
- When
- Gardaí contacted Revenue on 19 February 2025 to report that Hawes's vehicle had been seized.
- The court report is dated 22 April 2026 in one version and 25 April 2026 in another.
- Investigation
- Fuel samples were sent to the State Laboratory for detailed analysis.
- Hawes was invited twice to attend interview with Revenue officials but did not attend.
- Charges
- Hawes pleaded guilty to keeping marked mineral oil.
- A separate charge of using the fuel was withdrawn by the prosecution.
- Sentence
- The judge convicted Hawes, fined him €2,600 and allowed six months to pay.
- Other details
- Hawes has no previous convictions.
- Several separate road traffic matters involving Hawes were adjourned to a later date.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe fuel appeared green in colour. (donegallive.ie)
- whatThe vehicle involved was a 2006-registered Peugeot Expert van. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe case concerns a farmer from Carndonagh. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí contacted Revenue on 19 February 2025 to report that Hawes's vehicle had been seized. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationFuel samples were sent to the State Laboratory for detailed analysis. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeHawes pleaded guilty to keeping marked mineral oil. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeA separate charge of using the fuel was withdrawn by the prosecution. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Carndonagh District Court sitting in Buncrana. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge convicted Hawes and fined him €2,600, allowing six months to pay. (donegallive.ie)
- otherHawes had been invited twice to attend interview with Revenue officials but did not do so. (donegallive.ie)
- otherHawes has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
- otherSeveral separate road traffic matters involving Hawes were adjourned to a later date. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Apr2026Farmer caught with green diesel in his van is convicted and fined €2,600 in court
Court report of a single sentencing: Joseph Hawes, 45, of Carndonagh, convicted and fined €2,600 after pleading guilty to keeping marked mineral oil. No existing case in the list matches this case.
convicted, Joseph Hawes, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Hawes