THE COMMISSION FOR Energy Regulation (CER) has taken a successful case against a Tipperary man for carrying out illegal gas repairs.

Stephen North of Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary was fined for illegally carrying out gas works while not being a registered gas installer and for portraying himself as a registered gas installer.

The case was heard in Carrick-on-Suir District Court under presiding Judge Finn, who convicted and fined North for undertaking gas works while not being a registered gas installer and portraying himself as a registered gas installer.

The gas works were undertaken at various dates between and including 9 May 2015 and 2 July 2016 within the district court area. Judge Finn fined North €500, awarded costs of €2,500 to CER and witness expenses of €1,800.

Judge Finn heard evidence from Keith Walsh, Gas Safety Officer with the Commission for Energy Regulation. There was no evidence of North having any qualifications whatsoever to be a registered gas installer.

It is illegal for an individual or company to carry out gas works or to portray themselves as registered, unless they are a registered gas installer (RGI) with the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII). The penalties for non-compliance include a fine of up to €15,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 years.

Prosecutions

The number of prosecutions taken by the CER has continued to rise annually since 2011.

The successful prosecution emphasises the requirement by law for all gas installers to be registered with RGII when carrying out domestic gas works which includes work on domestic appliances in non-domestic settings, and those in leisure activity vehicles (LAVs).

The CER’s Commissioner for Energy Safety, Dr Paul McGowan said: “If a gas installer does not have the required registration or cannot prove membership of the RGII scheme, consumers should not use them and if they suspect that they are acting illegally, they should contact RGII.”

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