Ireland Portarlington resident sentenced over gas meter tampering
A Portarlington resident was convicted of unlawful interference with a gas meter owned or operated by Gas Networks Ireland, after the meter lock had been removed and the meter tampered with so that gas consumption was not recorded. Gas Networks Ireland carried out an investigation at a property in June 2024. The person pleaded guilty and was sentenced in November 2024 at Portlaoise District Court to six months imprisonment and a €2,500 fine, and appealed the severity of that sentence. On appeal at Portlaoise Circuit Court, the court heard about the investigation on January 15 and the judge imposed four months imprisonment suspended in full for three years, a result reported in February 2025.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced7 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A Portarlington resident was convicted of unlawful interference with a gas meter owned or operated by Gas Networks Ireland.
- Where
- The convicted person is a Portarlington resident in County Laois.
- When
- The incident date is not recorded in the sources; Gas Networks Ireland's investigation at the property took place in June 2024.
- Cause
- The gas meter lock had been removed illegally and the meter tampered with, preventing gas consumption from being recorded.
- Investigation
- Gas Networks Ireland carried out an investigation at the property in June 2024.
- Charges
- The offence is contrary to Section 15(3) of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995.
- In court
- The person pleaded guilty.
- The earlier sentence at Portlaoise District Court was the maximum of six months imprisonment and a fine of €2,500.
- The person appealed the severity of the sentence imposed in November 2024.
- The court heard on January 15 about the Gas Networks Ireland investigation.
- Sentence
- On appeal at Portlaoise Circuit Court, the judge imposed four months imprisonment, suspended in full for three years on condition the person keeps the peace and is of good behaviour.
- Other details
- Gas Networks Ireland welcomed the suspended sentence and described gas theft through meter tampering as a serious issue and a risk to life.
- The outcome of the appeal was reported by the Leinster Express in February 2025.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe convicted person is a Portarlington resident. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThe investigation found the gas meter lock had been removed illegally and the meter tampered with, preventing gas consumption from being recorded. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGas Networks Ireland carried out an investigation at the property in June 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe person was convicted of unlawful interference with a gas meter owned by or operated by Gas Networks Ireland. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe offence is contrary to Section 15 (3) of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe person pleaded guilty. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court heard on January 15 about the Gas Networks Ireland investigation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe person appealed the severity of a sentence imposed in November 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a four-month imprisonment term, suspended in full for three years on condition the person keeps the peace and is of good behaviour. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe earlier sentence at Portlaoise District Court was the maximum of six months imprisonment and a fine of €2,500. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Feb2025Laois man sentenced for gas meter tampering that prevented consumption recording
Reports the outcome of the appeal at Portlaoise Circuit Court: a four-month sentence suspended in full for three years. Also gives the earlier District Court sentence of six months and a €2,500 fine, and the investigation by Gas Networks Ireland in June 2024.
convicted