Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 11259Possession or use of marked fuel (green diesel) · Co. Donegal · 13 May 2025

Donegal man fined €2,500 for using green diesel in car

John Gallagher, a man of Edergole, Lough Eske, Donegal Town, was stopped by customs officers at Corravaddy, Letterkenny, on 13 May 2025. A roadside fuel test found prescribed markers in the tank of his car, and he was charged under section 102 of the Finance Act, 1999. He pleaded guilty at Glenties District Court, where the defence said the car had been giving mechanical difficulty and he had been advised kerosene could cure it. He was convicted and fined €2,500, as reported on 30 January 2026 and published on 1 February 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced30 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man from Donegal was found using green diesel in his car.
Where
Customs officers stopped John Gallagher at Corravaddy, Letterkenny.
When
The stop took place on 13 May 2025.
Cause
  • The defence said the vehicle was giving mechanical difficulty and Gallagher was advised kerosene could cure it.
  • The defence said the vehicle was emitting a lot of smoke and there were remnants of kerosene in the tank on the day.
Investigation
  • An officer took a fuel sample from the tank at the roadside, and it tested positive for prescribed markers.
  • Analysis of the sample confirmed the prescribed markers were present.
  • Gallagher was interviewed at the roadside, and he told gardaí he had no explanation when asked whether he put marked fuel in the tank.
Charges
Gallagher, of Edergole, Lough Eske, Donegal Town, was charged with an offence under section 102 of the Finance Act, 1999.
In court
  • The case was heard at Glenties District Court before Judge Daly.
  • Gallagher pleaded guilty and has no previous convictions, and the defence said he has met the charge as best he can and has suffered tragedy in recent years.
Sentence
  • Judge Daly said the minimum fine she could apply was €2,500.
  • Gallagher was convicted and fined €2,500.
Other details
Reports of the sentencing are dated 30 January 2026 in the tracker and 1 February 2026 in the published article.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Donegal man was found using green diesel in his car. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereCustoms officers stopped Gallagher at Corravaddy, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe stop took place on May 13, 2025. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeThe defence said the vehicle was giving mechanical difficulty and Gallagher was advised kerosene could cure it. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationAn officer took a fuel sample from the tank, which tested positive for prescribed markers. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGallagher was interviewed at the roadside by officers. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationAnalysis of the sample confirmed the prescribed markers were present. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeGallagher was charged with an offence under section 102 of the Finance Act, 1999. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Glenties District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Daly said the minimum fine she could apply was €2,500. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceGallagher was convicted and fined €2,500. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherGallagher told gardaí he had no explanation when asked whether he put marked fuel in the tank. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherGallagher pleaded guilty and has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the vehicle was emitting a lot of smoke at the time. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defence said there were remnants of kerosene in the tank on the day. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defence said Gallagher has met the charge as best he can and is a married man who has suffered tragedy in recent years. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jan2026
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal Court hears green diesel found after car suffered 'mechanical difficulty'

    Court report of the sentencing of John Gallagher at Glenties District Court. It gives the stop location, the roadside fuel test, the defence account of mechanical difficulty and kerosene, and the €2,500 fine.

    convicted, John Gallagher, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Gallagher