Petrol-stretching victims urged to make complaints

Despite dozens of anecdotal reports of car engines being damaged beyond repair by ‘petrol-stretching’ by rogue retailers, just four formal reports were made to Gardaí in Galway since July.

And official figures from the Revenue show there were only eight suspected cases reported to them over the past four months in Galway City and County.

Because convictions have not been secured against any operators here and the potential to undermine ongoing investigations, retailers suspected of being involved in the scam cannot legally be named.

Independent TD Denis Naughten has pleaded with motorists to report their suspicions about petrol-stretching – where rogue fuel merchants add a 10% mix of kerosene home heating oil to petrol to increase profits – to both the Gardaí and Revenue.

Last week, the Connacht Tribune reported that dozens of petrol cars around the county have had their engines destroyed by the scam – in several cases, there was around €6,000 worth of damage to each car.

In Galway, Revenue had one case reported to them in July, three in September and four in October, while Gardai here had four reports during that period.

“Clearly, people are not reporting the incidents to Revenue. But if they don’t get the complaints they cannot investigate the problem.

“Already Revenue have sent samples away for testing and I would urge people to make direct contact with them if your car has been damaged,” said Deputy Naughten.

Meanwhile, the Gardaí and Revenue launched a joint operation in Mayo yesterday (Wednesday) which involves “intensive monitoring”.

There are understood to be almost 200 ‘victims’ of contaminated petrol in Mayo.