A JUDGE has warned that he will impose the maximum fines and jail sentences in future cases where individuals are convicted of involvement with fuel racketeering.
Judge Seán MacBride was dealing with a case at Carrickmacross District Court yesterday in which two men were prosecuted by the Revenue Commissioners for using illicit fuel in a van at Cornamuckla, Broomfield, last February.
He imposed the maximum fine of €3,000, or alternatively three months imprisonment, on John Hoey, Crann Nua, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, the owner of the vehicle containing the illicit fuel.
The Revenue intercepted it while it was being driven by Seán Meegan, Drumlin Manor, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan. However, a charge against Mr Meegan was dismissed after the court heard the vehicle was owned by Hoey. The judge said if he had the power to impose a statutory jail term on Hoey, he would have done so, as he had zero tolerance for such criminal activity.
By imposing the maximum fine, he wanted to send out a warning that he would deal as sternly as possible with such offenders. He noted that Hoey was not in court and said this suggested he appeared to be another of those "faceless men" who were involved in this type of illicit activity.