Gas Networks Ireland highlights counties with highest rates of gas pipeline strikes and encroachments
- Someone came close to hitting Ireland’s gas transmission pipeline, once a week last year
- 53 encroachments on gas transmission pipelines and 173 accidental third party hits on gas distribution pipelines in 2024
- Carlow, Clare, Louth, Wicklow and Cavan were among the worst-affected counties
- With much of the country’s gas infrastructure running under farmland, landowners are urged to always ‘Dial Before You Dig’
- Gas Networks Ireland is bringing this safety message to the National Ploughing Championships 2025
Once a week last year, someone came close to hitting Ireland’s gas transmission pipeline, Gas Networks Ireland has warned.
Transmission pipelines carry very large volumes of gas at extremely high pressure and hitting one could have catastrophic consequences. During the same period, there were also 173 accidental third-party hits to gas distribution pipelines, which carry gas at lower level.
Gas Networks Ireland revealed the new data ahead of the National Ploughing Championships 2025, where it will be reminding landowners, farmers and contractors to always ‘Dial Before You Dig’ before carrying out any excavation works on their land.
An encroachment refers to any activity, structure, or deep-rooted vegetation that may interfere with the operation, safety, or accessibility of gas mains and pipelines, including excavation or digging within the pipeline corridor and the construction of buildings or fences near gas pipelines.
Carlow, Clare, Louth, Wicklow, and Cavan were among the worst-affected counties, with rates of encroachments and third-party hits well above the national average, when measured on a per-metre basis.
- Carlow had the highest rate of encroachments on transmission pipelines in the country on a per metre basis
- Clare recorded the highest level of accidental third-party hits on distribution pipelines on a per metre basis
- Wicklow featured among the counties with the highest rate for both transmission encroachments and distribution hits on a per metre basis
- Louth also recorded some of the highest levels of encroachments and third-party hits, underlining the risk of excavation related damage
- Cavan ranked third nationally for transmission encroachments on a per-metre basis
Paul O’Brien, Head of Health, Safety and Quality at Gas Networks Ireland said:
“Gas transmission pipelines carry huge volumes of gas at extremely high pressure, like the force of a power washer. Distribution pipelines move gas at much lower pressure, closer to the steady flow of a kitchen tap. Accidentally striking either can be very dangerous, but damaging a transmission pipe can have catastrophic consequences.”
Last year, more than 27,000 requests were made to Gas Networks Ireland’s 'Dial Before you Dig' service, almost twice as many as during 2022.
“It is encouraging to see more landowners and contractors checking for underground gas pipelines before carrying out works,” Mr O’Brien added.
“Striking a gas pipeline can cause harm, disruption, or even worse. A quick check with our ‘Dial Before You Dig’ service by phone, email or online is a vital step that helps keep everyone safe.”
Gas Networks Ireland operates over 14,000 km of pipelines in the country, serving over 720,000 homes and businesses.
Gas transmission pipelines are the motorways of the gas network transporting large volumes of gas over long distances. Ireland has nearly 2,500 km of gas transmission pipelines crossing the lands of over 5,000 landowners. These pipes are wide in diameter – often up to a meter, operate at very high pressures – up to 85 bar, and typically run cross-country.
While distribution pipelines act like local roads and streets, taking gas from the transmission network and delivering it to over 720,000 homes and business across Ireland. Ireland’s distribution network extends to more than 12,000 km of pipeline. These pipes are smaller in diameter, operate at lower pressures – 4 bar and less, and are laid through towns, cities and residential areas.
National Ploughing Championships
With so much of the country’s gas transmission infrastructure running under farmland, Gas Networks Ireland is using the National Ploughing Championships 2025 (16–18 September, Screggan, Co. Offaly) as a key opportunity to highlight pipeline safety, with a bold tattoo-themed activation - part of a wider stand experience designed to raise awareness of pipeline safety and showcase the role of renewable gas in Ireland’s farming future.
At the heart of the Gas Networks Ireland stand is the “Dial Before You Dig” Tattoo Parlour, where visitors can choose from a range of striking temporary tattoos - one of which was designed by Heartbreak Social Club artist Ryan Kelly. Each eye-catching tattoo carries Gas Networks Ireland’s core safety message, and a vital reminder to always check the location of underground gas pipes before breaking ground.
Gas Networks Ireland has also teamed up with social media personality James Doyle, to promote a highly important safety message. James, who has 1.5 million TikTok followers, will appear at the stand on Tuesday, 16 September to encourage visitors to get ‘tattooed’ and learn more about ‘Dial Before You Dig’.
James Doyle said: “It’s a bit of fun with the tattoos, but the message is serious – always check before you dig. It can save lives and prevent major damage.”
Beyond safety, Gas Networks Ireland’s stand will also bring the future of energy to life:
- Moving Ireland’s Energy Showcase – a dedicated zone showing how renewable biomethane gas will help Ireland meet climate targets, while creating new revenue streams for farmers. A live 3D printer will build a model anaerobic digestion plant across the three days
- Talks Stage – with daily sessions featuring safety demonstrations, farming innovators and renewable energy experts
- Family Zone – including a sandpit and child-friendly tattoo designs to keep younger visitors entertained, while reinforcing the safety message
- Competitions and Prizes – visitors can take part in a treasure-hunt quiz across the stand and be in with a chance to win prizes
Gas Networks Ireland’s Biomethane Programme Manager, Padraig Fleming said: “Biomethane presents a real opportunity for Irish farming - new income for farmers, lower emissions for the country and stronger rural circular economies.”
Gas Networks Ireland will be located at Stand 186, Row 8, Block 3. Farmers, contractors and families can visit across all three days of the Ploughing to learn more about gas pipeline safety, renewable energy and the future of Ireland’s gas network.
For more information, visit: www.gasnetworks.ie/ploughing
