Up to 100,000 illegal and potentially deadly gas boilers have been installed by ‘cowboy’ operators in family homes over the past five years, an Oireachtas committee heard yesterday.

A plumber on trial for manslaughter arising out of a gas leak at the Trident hotel in Kinsale, Co Cork, had told gardaí he had tested the boiler for possible leaks with a computerised testing device. But the accused later stated he had not done so.

A protest by gas installers and plumbers will take place outside the Dáil today to highlight the number of unregistered people working in the sector.

Kya deLongchamps continues her series on making your home more energy efficient in the winter.