Last week Eugene Hanratty Sr from Crossmaglen was sentenced to four years in prison for an attack on Co Monaghan native, Martin McAllister in 2012. McAllister had publically criticised cross-border fuel smuggling and diesel laundering.
Speaking to Northern Sound today, he said the assault was a "vicious and premediated attack" that ultimately encouraged him to seek justice. McAllister says diesel sludge was being dumped in the Castleblayney area where a culture of silence had become the norm.
He pointed out how the locality is now reaping a 40 year legacy of "no law and order what-so-ever". The Co Monaghan man added that cross-border smuggling and diesel laundering is a cover for racketeers and gangsters, and he is going to stand firm against that.
"The frequency of this has become less and less and less; but people would want to remember what they are getting here. They are not getting what they are paying for when they buy this type of stuff and on top of that revenue is being denied to the Government.
"This is not a victimless crime; everyone person who knowingly puts that stuff into their tanks is not getting what they are paying for. If they want to accept that it is a shame in a way because they need to take stock of where we are at.
"They are simply making money for people who are - in my view - criminals," added Mr McAllister.
