Customs officers target potential VRT and green diesel fraud across Inishowen
Northern-registered vehicles stopped in the latest operation between Carndonagh and Gleneely
Customs officers carried out a checkpoint operation in Inishowen yesterday morning in what may signal the beginning of a renewed crackdown on Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) fraud and fuel offences across the region.
A number of Revenue officers stopped vehicles on the main R244 road between Gleneely and Carndonagh on Tuesday, May 12, with a number of vehicles, including a Northern-registered van, pulled in for inspection and questioning.
A Revenue spokesperson confirmed the operation formed part of an ongoing effort to target suspected breaches of tax and fuel regulations.
“Revenue officers participated in a routine checkpoint on the main R244 road on May 12, 2026,” they confirmed.
“Revenue officers were targeting non-compliance with Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) obligations and mineral oil fraud in accordance with their statutory powers and duties,” the spokesperson added.
Customs checkpoints had become a less common sight in Inishowen following the Covid-19 pandemic, but there are growing indications that Revenue is once again stepping up roadside enforcement operations amid concerns over VRT avoidance and the illegal use of marked fuel, with more cases coming before the courts.
The use of green diesel, also known as marked mineral oil, in private vehicles is prohibited and can lead to significant penalties. Convictions may result in hefty fines of up to €5,000 for a first offence in court, while vehicles found in breach of VRT regulations may also be seized by Revenue officers.
Motorists who fail to register imported vehicles within the required timeframe can face penalties of up to 10 per cent of the vehicle’s Open Market Selling Price, along with possible court prosecution.