A Co Derry haulage company has had its Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence revoked in a crackdown by the Department of the Environment (DOE) against the use of illegal fuel.
Kevin Peter Johnston, Johnston Tipper Services, Ballyronan, is one of three haulage firms in the North which have had their licences withdrawn by the DOE’s Transport Regulation Unit (TRU) for the illegal use of fuel and other infringements under the Goods Vehicle (Licensing of Operators) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010.
The TRU held separate public inquiries to consider each case using evidence received from agencies including HMRC, DVA, PSNI and VOSA.
The three owners of the companies were also disqualified from holding or applying for an operator’s licence for between three and five years.
A DOE spokesperson said: “It was decided that such behaviour was not in keeping with the requirement of the law that goods vehicle operators must be of good repute; and given the gravity of such behaviour and its impact on road safety and fair competition in the freight industry, it was fair and proper to revoke the licence to operate in each individual case.”
Donald Armstrong, Head of the Transport Regulation Unit, said there could be no place in the freight industry for the practices employed by such operators.
He added: “It is completely unacceptable that people break the law to gain competitive advantage over those who abide by the rules. It will not be tolerated and must be discouraged. That is why we have introduced these powers and will continue to use them.”
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said the majority of goods vehicle operators work within the law and the decisions reinforced the clear message to any operator, tempted to indulge in wrong practices, including the illegal use of fuel, “to think again.”
Meanwhile, The TRU is currently working with other government agencies and is considering the licences of nearly 30 other operators using tachograph interrupter devices, and a range of other illegal practices to gain competitive advantage.
These also include 14 cases involving the illegal use of fuel.
Mr Armstrong said these would be examined in due course and if appropriate “further regulatory action” would follow.
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