'Think twice' - Kildare garda warns the public not to commit drive-offs amid rising fuel prices

A garda based in County Kildare has warned the general public not to commit drive-off offences amid rising fuel prices.

During a recent guest appearance on KFM, Garda David Prendergast told host Hannah Kelly that there has been "a notable rise" in drive-off incidents, which refers to when people drive away from a garage (after filling up their vehicles with fuel, such as petrol or diesel) and avoid paying the garage for said fuel.

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"With the current prices of fuel, we won't even go there," Gda Prendergast said. "But a number of people have been detected driving off without [making] payment, and this is of course a criminal offence."

He emphasised that this type of offence is legally considered to be theft and added that someone who is caught could face "potential fines", "a court appearance", "a criminal conviction" and / or "a potential prison sentence, if a judge so sees fit".

Furthermore, he pointed out that many forecourts and garages have CCTV in operation, and as a result, this makes it "very achievable" to identify offenders.

Gda Prendergast concluded his statement with a warning: "Think twice before you think about doing something like this, because if you do, you will be prosecuted."

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