Oil laundering plant discovered in Offaly

Customs officers have uncovered a large oil laundering plant in Co Offaly.

The facility, near Daingean, had the capacity to launder an estimated 100,000 litres per week, with a potential loss to the Exchequer of €50,000 a week.

Officers who were assisted by gardaí seized 12,500 litres of laundered fuel, one vehicle and one gravel truck with a concealed tank of 20,000 litres capacity.

A man in his 50s was arrested at the scene. Another man in his 40s was later arrested in Tullamore.

In simultaneous operations in Kilbeggan in Co Westmeath and near Tuam in Co Galway.

Customs Officers also detained 14,000 and 50,000 litres of product pending further investigation.