Response to petrol stretching fuels anger

Response to petrol stretching fuels anger

Ciara Galvin

More than two months have passed since the first public meeting on petrol stretching in Swinford, but locals still feel that nothing has been done.
Petrol stretching involves using kerosene to dilute petrol by up to 10 percent, thereby ‘stretching’ the fuel. Motorists who unwittingly put the stretched petrol into their vehicles say they now face repair bills of several thousand euro, and they have been calling on the Government to set up a fund to help with the cost.
Last week, Revenue and An Garda SíochΡna announced that they are jointly investigating the suspected interference with petrol. In a statement, An Garda SíochΡna said: ‘These [investigative] actions include sharing of information and intelligence and intensive monitoring of the situation.
“Revenue will continue to sample suspect fuel and will investigate with a view to pursuing prosecutions against offenders where possible. An Garda SíochΡna will continue their investigations following numerous complaints from the public and will be stepping up other action in an attempt to identify the perpetrators.”
However, those affected by the contaminated fuel say there has been no effort to bring those involved to justice. “Why has nobody been pinpointed?” asked a local Swinford man, whose wife’s car was affected by stretched fuel. “People are absolutely disgusted. Gardaí are asking us to contact them. How much more contacting can we do? A list of over 200 people’s complaints were handed to them at the public meeting.”
Motorists have also reacted angrily to being told to be careful about where they buy petrol, pointing out that the they thought they were purchasing from ‘reputable stations’.
Meanwhile, one Mayo filling station is reassuring its customers. Robinson’s filling station on Spencer Street, Castlebar has put up a sign saying, ‘Fill here with 100 percent confidence – only premium quality fuels sold here’. In a recent Mayo News survey Robinson’s was found to be among the garages offering lowest fuel prices.