Swissport Ireland fined €24,000 for using ‘green diesel’ at Shannon airport

Judge says the airport ground handler engaged in a practice ‘that was costing the Irish taxpayer a considerable amount of money ’

A Swissport bus. Swissport Ireland  pleaded guilty to six separate summons concerning the use of marked gas oil in its vehicles on November 2nd, 2017. Photograph: Getty Images
A Swissport bus. Swissport Ireland pleaded guilty to six separate summons concerning the use of marked gas oil in its vehicles on November 2nd, 2017. Photograph: Getty Images

The Irish arm of international airport ground handler Swissport has been hit with a €24,000 fine after it pleaded guilty to using "green diesel" at its Shannon airport operation.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan said that Swissport Ireland Ltd was engaged "in a practice that was costing the Irish taxpayer a considerable amount of money – there would be a huge loss of revenue to the Irish exchequer".

Judge Durcan said that the practise by Swissport Ireland in using marked gas oil could have been going on for years, and the loss to the Irish State "must run into very considerable sums of money".

The solicitor for Swissport Ireland, John Casey, said that the use of the green diesel on November 2nd, 2017, "was not intentional", and the company had taken steps to make it impossible that the fuel would be used again.

READ SOME MORE

Judge Durcan said: “It is all very well to say to that this arose because of a lack of knowledge, lack of training and lack of supervision. I don’t accept any of that quite frankly.”

He made his comments after Swissport Ireland Ltd pleaded guilty to six separate summons concerning the use of marked gas oil in its vehicles on November 2nd, 2017.

Judge Durcan imposed a fine of €4,000 on each of the six summons before the court.

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan is a contributor to The Irish Times