Rogue hauliers face Garda crackdown

ROGUE haulage operators are to face a Garda crackdown after claims that up to a fifth of all hauliers operating in Ireland are bogus.

Eddie Rock, Garda assistant commissioner, revealed plans for new multi-agency checkpoints near border crossings, at sea ports and elsewhere targeting the industry.

The senior officer in charge of the Garda Traffic Corps said there were indications that a significant number of operators were not registered or licensed.

The haulage industry has told gardaí that it estimates between 6% and 20% of heavy goods contractors were not compliant with the road transport regulations.

“In fairness to them, they are entitled to a level playing field,” assistant commissioner Rock said of the legitimate operators.

It is believed a number of hauliers from outside the jurisdiction have not got Department of Transport-issued community authorisation for working within the Republic.

There are also claims of agricultural vehicles, including tractors and trailers, being used for the unregulated transport of heavy goods for commercial purposes.

Assistant commissioner Rock said these activities will be targeted in an enforcement crackdown also involving Customs officers and the Road Safety Authority.

The checkpoint operation, which begins tomorrow, will also focus on the illegal transportation of waste and the use of untaxed fuel such as agricultural diesel.

The worldwide increase in the cost of oil has led to a greater temptation of the unscrupulous trader to use illegal diesel, customs officials believe.

Marked mineral oil has already been detected in 471 vehicles so far this year.