"Green doesn’t mean go" at Westmeath Garda checkpoints over Bank Holiday weekend

A series of joint checkpoints across Westmeath over the Bank Holiday weekend led to multiple detections for illegal fuel use, vehicle seizures, and enforcement actions, according to An Garda Síochána.

Over two days, the Meath/Westmeath Roads Policing Unit, working alongside Revenue Customs Service officers, carried out coordinated operations in Mullingar, Castlepollard, and Athlone. The checkpoints specifically targeted the misuse of green or red diesel in private vehicles.

Authorities reported a total of nine detections involving illegal fuel use, including six cases of green diesel and three involving red diesel.

It was noted that while environmentally friendly choices are encouraged, using marked fuel unlawfully in road vehicles remains an offence.

In addition to fuel-related breaches, officers recorded two vehicle seizures linked to the non-payment of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT). A further seven drivers were issued warnings and given 30 days to address outstanding VRT issues.

Two vehicles were detained during the operation, one due to the absence of valid insurance and another involving a disqualified driver. Gardaí also issued several fixed charge notices for offences including failure to display motor tax and unaccompanied learner driving.

Separately, a premises in Athlone was searched after a detection by a trained search dog, as part of the broader enforcement effort.

The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by Gardaí and customs officials to clamp down on fuel fraud and ensure compliance with road traffic and tax regulations.