CRU Prosecution Secures Criminal Conviction for Illegal Gas and Electrical Works
A Dublin man has received a criminal conviction and has been ordered to pay €7,350 in fines and costs for carrying out illegal gas and electrical works at a home in Malahide, following a prosecution by the CRU.
Damien Nicholson of Hollystown Park, Hollystown, Dublin 15 was convicted at Dublin District Court on September 28 2026 of carrying out illegal gas works while not registered as a gas installer and designated electrical works while not registered as an electrical contractor. The offences related to work at a house in Malahide, Co Dublin for which the homeowner paid him €12,000.
Mr Nicholson was convicted in his absence having failed to appear at Court for the hearing.
Evidence was heard from the homeowner that Mr Nicholson had been recommended to her by her family. She hired him to install a walk-in electric shower as part of the home improvements and told the Court; she personally witnessed him carrying out both electrical and gas work.
Mr Nicholson replaced radiators with electric ones, powered using extension leads, after telling the homeowner that she needed to replace the gun barrel pipes on her old radiators.
A subsequent inspection by the CRU of the electric shower found that it posed a serious risk of electrocution, the homeowner told the Court.
The homeowner also told the Court that Mr Nicholson drove her to the bank to withdraw payment for the illegal works. A bank clerk raised concerns about the transactions, and she ultimately paid him €12,000.
Judge Anthony Halpin outlined that this was the work of a “cowboy” and he imposed criminal convictions against Mr Nicholson for offences under sections 9G(3) and 9E(3) of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 as inserted by the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 and total fines of €1,500 were imposed. In addition, Judge Halpin directed that he pays the CRU’s costs of €5,850, all amounts payable within three months.
Anyone who suspects that gas or electrical work has been carried out by an unregistered individual can report it at www.rgi.ie.
CRU's Acting Director of Energy Safety Rory Mee said:
“This case highlights the serious danger posed when an unregistered gas installer or electrical contractor carries out illegal gas or electrical works. Customers should always check that anyone undertaking this work is registered and if they suspect that they are acting illegally, they should report this at www.rgi.ie. The CRU will continue to take action against individuals and companies who fail to meet these essential safety standards.”