A Northern Ireland transport firm has faced legal consequences after a police investigation exposed extensive fraud involving its tachograph equipment. The investigation led to the sentencing of the haulage company’s director, transport manager, and nine drivers.
Michael Doherty, the company’s director, received a two-year suspended prison sentence, while Patrick Doherty, the transport manager, was handed a 14-month suspended sentence. The nine drivers involved also received suspended sentences for fraud by false representation.
The company, Michael Doherty Haulage, based in Omagh, was ordered to pay a £247,028 confiscation order and fined £72,000.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland collaborated with the DVA and HMRC to address the case under fraud laws rather than road traffic offences, allowing the case to be escalated to crown court. This approach resulted in more severe penalties.
Chief Inspector Dodds explained that a thorough analysis of company records and vehicles revealed that the firm and its drivers had been manipulating tachographs to extend driving hours beyond the legal limit. This manipulation, which could disable the lorry’s odometer, speedometer, and speed limiter, posed a serious risk to road safety and created an unfair competitive advantage in the haulage industry.
