Dublin plumber offered ‘cheaper’ energy supply

A qualified plumber who offered a “cheaper” energy service to householders by tampering with their ESB and Bord Gáis meters will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Garda David Ennis said one woman told gardaí that James McLoughlin had interfered with her meter to allow a free flow of gas to her house for €100. She said McLoughlin had advised her to top the meter up by €10 a week and Bord Gáis “won’t come near you”.

McLoughlin, aged 42, of Summer St South, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to criminal damage of two Bord Gáis meters and an ESB meter at Summer St South between July 2, 2013, and February 25, 2014.