Warning gas scam could put up to 200 homes at risk of explosion
Gardaí yesterday issued an urgent public safety appeal to anyone who may have hired the man to carry out work to bypass their meter to come forward to have the safety of their supplies checked.
They warned affected householders that they risked the possibility of a real tragedy, including the potential loss of life, if remedial work was not carried out.
Gardaí from the Divisional Crime Task Force in south Dublin arrested a man in his 30s after a search of homes in the Kilmainham area last Tuesday. The man was subsequently released but a file is being prepared for the DPP.
A further 10 houses in a variety of locations in the capital including Ballinteer and Swords were also searched.
A Garda spokesman said all the properties were found to have had their gas supplies tampered with and criminal damage had taken place. He claimed the nature of the unauthorised work represented “a significant risk to safety”.
Bord Gáis staff who accompanied gardaí to the affected homes discovered two leaks of gas at meters which had been bypassed. Gas meters were seized as evidence and replacement ones fitted.
Bord Gáis spokesman John Memery said the company had experienced an increase in recent months of attempts to interfere with supplies to bypass gas meters.
“By tampering with a gas meter, people are not just putting their own safety at risk but the safety of their families, neighbours, and the general public.”
He claimed Bord Gáis was aware of the immense financial difficulties faced by customers, but emphasised that tampering with gas meters was not the solution. He said “the consequences could be costly or even fatal”.
Gardaí declined to say if householders would face any prosecutions for the illegal activity but stressed that issue was not the focus of their appeal.
* Anyone with concerns about their gas supplies can contact the Bord Gáis helpline on 1850 200694.
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