He originally broke the story of the scam last August, and this week he says more than 2,000 cars have been disabled or totally ruined since then. The scam involves diluting petrol with less expensive kerosene, causing coking and overheating that can lead to pistons actually melting.
The publisher of Autotrade.ie, Deane says the limelight has come off the issue, but dealers are telling him that not all the cases of damage coming in to them from customers are 'historical'.
Deane says the matter has only received 'lip service' from the Minister for Finance, although the Revenue Commissioners have investigated a number of outlets, taking some 300 samples.
In addition, some insurance companies who used to cover engine damage from contaminated fuel are now excluding it.
"There appears to be no visible activity taking place to stop the crime or to compensate them," says Deane. "This issue needs to investigated properly and transparently. People need to have clarity and confidence restored in where it is safe to buy petrol and diesel. The victims of petrol stretching shoulder no blame so they should shoulder no financial hardship."
He adds that if a petrol importer has unwittingly distributed contaminated petrol, and then covered it up, they should be named under Dáil privilege.
