NI 0-licences revoked for illegal use of fuel
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By Roger Brown
NORTHERN IRELAND'S road transport regulator has revoked the 0-licences of three haulage firms for the illegal use of fuel.
Earlier this month, Donald Armstrong (right), the head of the Transport Regulation Unit, (TRU) revoked the licences of Dungannon, County Tyronebased Padraig Daly, who traded as PD Refrigerated; Kevin Peter Johnston, who ran Johnston Tipper Services in Ballyronan, County Londonderry; and Wadsworth James Bethel, of Banbridge, County Down, under the Goods Vehicle (Licensing of Operators) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010.
The three owners were also disqualified from holding or applying for an 0-licence for between three and five years. Public inquiries were held to consider each case, with evidence from HMRC, Vosa, the Driver and Vehicle Agency, and the Police
Service of Northern Ireland.
Armstrong said that, given the gravity of the behaviour and its effect on road safety and fair competition, it was fair and proper to revoke each licence.
The TRU is reviewing the licences of 30 operators in the province, 14 of which involve the illegal use of fuel.
Armstrong said: "There can be no place in the freight industry for the practices employed by these operators. It is 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."