Mayo filling stations counting the cost of drive-offs

DRIVE-OFFS from a filling station cost one operator €2,000 in a single week.

And it's not enough when gardaí catch up with perpetrators to bring them back and pay - they should be prosecuted, a meeting of Mayo County Council was told.

Councillor Johnny O'Malley highlighted the issue of people filling their vehicles with fuel and driving off without paying yesterday.

It's causing a lot of hassle, he said. Sometimes the gardaí locate those involved but sometimes not.

In one instance, it added up to €2,000 in a week. Another case he cited saw a woman get €70 diesel, pay for a packet of biscuits, and then drive off.

Another person covered their number plate and then filled up by €70. But the camera picked up the number plate through the cover.

Councillor O'Malley said he hadn't known that this was a problem but it happens all the time. He knew of instances where it happened in Westport and Claremorris, so he was sure it was happening every place else too.

When the gardaí get these people it's not enough to bring them back and make them pay. They should be charged, he said, adding it's the odd time that someone forgets and drives off.

He also commented on how companies from America and Canada are buying filling stations here. They will have a pay for fuel before you fill policy.

“That is the only answer.”