I always bought our fuel from ASDA in Downpatrick in the 80s and 90s as I reckoned it was more dependable than many independents. It meant I also had a trail of credit card statements to prove consistency of purchase in case of engine problems. I remember reading at one time that it was believed over 30% of filling stations had a finger in the laundered fuel. If I went south I always bought from applegreen for the same reason.
The two governments were complicit in allowing this ‘industry’ along the border. I reckon it was part of the so called peace deal to allow the gangsters to be ‘paid off’ despite the huge damage they did to the environment and the water table round border areas with the waste cleansing chemicals etc.
I could never understand why the two governments didn’t simply apply a common tax on red (or green in the south) at source and anyone using it legitimately could reclaim the duty or offset it on their tax returns.
Conniving bstards, both governments. Still probably going on but seems to be well hushed up.
Davy
Just found this, it is/was even worse than I quoted, as I didn’t want to be seen as exaggerating.
The majority of the North's 700 filling stations are selling illegal petrol and diesel supplied by cross Border fuel smugglers…
www.irishtimes.com