Gas Networks Ireland has welcomed the verdict in a case relating to unlawful meter interference at a property in Bianconi Drive, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
On 28 November 2025, an individual associated with this address pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted in Clonmel District Court under Section 15 of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995.
The court heard that Gas Networks Ireland had carried out an investigation at the property in July 2025, which found the gas meter had been unlawfully tampered with, preventing consumption from being properly recorded.
Judge John O’Leary, having heard the evidence from Gas Networks Ireland, convicted the individual for failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure that such interference was discontinued as the registered consumer of gas, contrary to Section 15(6) of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995 as amended by Section 5 of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012.
Commenting on the seriousness of the offence, and the potential danger posed both to the perpetrator andto their neighbours, Judge O’Leary imposed a fine of €2,500.
Gas Networks Ireland’s Networks Safety Manager, Tommy Lee, said:
“This verdict sends out an important message to the public that meter tampering is a serious crime with potentially deadly consequences. Theft of gas 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.”
This is one of several convictions secured this year for unlawful gas meter interference. Individuals in Tallaght and Ballymun in Dublin received fines of €1,500 and €1,000 respectively. A person in Mahon, Cork received a three-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, and earlier this year, a n individual in Portarlington, Co Laois received a four-month suspended sentence for gas meter tampering.
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 six 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 approx. 4,000 cases of meter tampering across the country since 2013.
By law, only Gas Networks Ireland representatives and registered gas installers are authorised to work on gas meters and pipework. It is illegal to ask, pay or allow someone else to tamper with a gas meter.
“The dangers involved in allowing someone who is not registered and qualified to do the work, are very real,” Mr Lee said.
“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.”
Members of the public are asked to report any suspicions of gas meter tampering to Gas Networks Ireland in strict confidence by calling 1800 464 464.
Further information is available at www.gasnetworks.ie/metertampering.
