Woman with 'green diesel' in Mercedes gets community service
It is illegal to use marked gas oil or green diesel in road vehicles
A woman who used 'green diesel' to fuel her Mercedes-Benz has been ordered to undertake community service.
Bianca Crystal Mann of Castlecolane, Brusna, Ballaghaderreen pleaded guilty at Ballina District Court to the offence, which occurred at Parke, Carracastle, on October 7, 2015.
It is illegal to use marked gas oil or green diesel in road vehicles and the prosecution was brought by the Revenue Commissioners.
Details were previously heard that the Revenue officers stopped the defendant's 2001 Mercedes Benz. A fuel sample, which was green in colour, was taken and it tested positive for oil markers. Mann was cautioned and directed to empty the tank.
The court heard that the defendant was prosecuted and fined €2,500 on October 7, 2016, at Ballina District Court. However, the amount is still outstanding and there have been multiple bench warrants issued for her arrest.
Solicitor John Gordon said his client has just completed 180 hours of community service in lieu of four months in jail for a separate matter.
“She is a single mother with two children in college and she lives on social welfare,” the solicitor added.
Mr Gordon told Judge Adrian Harris that his client had difficulty completing the most recent community service order due to family circumstances.
“I would ask you not to make it onerous, but she will do whatever is required,” he added.
Judge Harris said it was important to deter this type of offending and he sentenced Mann to 50 hours of community service in lieu of 20 days in prison.
