Gardai uncover sophisticated diesel fuel theft in Duleek

Observant Duleek Gardai obtained back-up from Navan colleagues to uncover a 'sophisticated' diesel stealing operation. The Garda operation led to the fining at Drogheda Court last week of Nerijus Kikas (31) of Westfield View, Ashbourne. Judge Flann Brennan fined him €1,000 for stealing 355 gallons of fuel. The court heard all the diesel, valued at €2,396, had been recovered. Evidence was given in the case by Garda Pat Muldowney, Navan, who, together with Garda Shane Curran, had worked with Duleek Gardai, Ollie Walsh and Kevin Dugdale, to catch the fuel thief. The court heard Kikas had cut a hole in the floor of his Peugeot van in which he had a large container for holding the diesel. He then fed a tube through a football which he positioned below the van. The tube led into the diesel holding tank at the Esso filling station at Carranstown, Duleek. The football concealed the tube so it appeared there was a football stuck under the van. There was an electric pump installed in the back of the van to allow the diesel to be sucked up into the tank in the van as quickly as possible.