€3,000 Fine For Unlawful Interference With Gas Meter In Bluebell
Gas Meter Tampering Puts Family, Neighbours and Own Lives at Risk
Tuesday 26th September 2017 - Gas Networks Ireland has welcomed the verdict in a case relating to the unlawful interference with a gas meter in Bluebell, Dublin 12. Julia Greene, with an address at La Touche Road, Bluebell, Dublin 12 was convicted of the dishonest use of gas by Judge John Brennan at a sitting of Dublin Metropolitan District Court at the Four Courts on Monday 25th September 2017. Judge Brennan imposed a €3,000 fine and directed Ms. Greene, who was not present in court, to pay costs of €1,000 plus VAT to Gas Networks Ireland.
Paul Cleary, giving evidence on behalf of Gas Networks Ireland, outlined how Gas Networks Ireland had carried out an investigation at the terraced property in Bluebell in May 2017 and found that the pre-payment meter had been unlawfully interfered with. Mr. Cleary outlined that, while the purpose of the interference was to avoid paying for gas, the consequences of the interference could have been far more serious. By allowing an unauthorised person to interfere with the gas meter, Ms. Greene put her family, neighbours, and the general public, in danger, including the potential of a gas explosion arising from the escape of gas.
Judge Brennan, having heard the evidence, stated that the offence was very serious in nature and considered the fact that Ms. Greene had not presented herself in court to be an aggravating factor in convicting her and imposed the €3,000 fine and the contribution towards costs of €1,000 plus VAT.
Owen Wilson, Networks Safety Manager for Gas Networks Ireland said:
"This verdict sends out an important message to the public that meter tampering is a serious crime with potentially deadly consequences. Fraud is a very serious issue, but far more serious is the risk to life that meter tampering poses to the perpetrator and to people nearby. We are working to end unlawful interference with gas meters and the dangers associated with this activity."
"Gas customers should only ever allow a Registered Gas Installer (RGI) to work on their gas boiler or gas meter. Rogue contractors can make seemingly attractive offers, but the dangers involved, in allowing someone who is not registered and qualified to do the work, are very real. Anyone who either interferes with a gas meter themselves or agrees to allow someone who is not a Registered Gas Installer to work on their gas installations is risking their own life, those of their family, and of people living nearby."
Due to the dangers involved, gas meter tampering is a criminal offence with possible fines of up to €5,000 and prison sentences of up to 6 months for those found guilty of the crime. Gas Networks Ireland has been actively engaged in identifying, and making safe, installations where tampering has been found and has detected over 2,000 cases of meter tampering across the country since 2013, with more than 1,500 of those cases detected in Dublin.
Members of the public are asked to report any suspicions of meter tampering to Gas Networks Ireland in strict confidence by calling 1800 411 511. Further information is available at www.gasnetworks.ie/metertampering
For further information:
Murray
Aimee Beale 086 151 4024 / abeale@murrayconsultants.ie
Gas Networks Ireland
Mary O’ Mahony 086 834 2277 / Mary.OMahony@gasnetworks.ie
Issued by Murray on behalf of Gas Networks Ireland
Notes to Editor:
Ms. Greene was convicted of unlawful interference with a gas meter under Section 15 of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995 as amended by the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012.
About Gas Networks Ireland:
Gas Networks Ireland is the business division of Ervia that owns, operates and develops the natural gas network in Ireland and connects all customers to the gas network. Gas Networks Ireland operates one of the most modern and safe gas networks in the world, consisting of 13,000km of pipeline around Ireland. We ensure that almost 674,000 homes and businesses receive a safe, efficient and secure supply of natural gas, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Ervia is a commercial semi-state multi-utility company with responsibility for the delivery of gas and water infrastructure and services in Ireland.