CRU secures prosecution for carrying out illegal electrical works on a domestic property

The CRU secured a prosecution againt Sean Gaughan of No 3 McFerbus Pier Road, Enniscrone, Co Sligo for carrying out illegal electrical works on a domestic property and falsely claiming to be a registered electrical contractor (REC) at Ballina District Court.

Mr. Gaughan pleaded guilty to three separate offences at Ballina District Court. Judge Fiona Lydon was informed by the CRU that Mr. Gaughan was last registered as an electrical contractor in 2011.

The scope of the work carried out by him in 2023 included the wiring of a home workshop, which required an electrical certificate to allow ESBN to install a new connection.

The subsequent CRU site inspection found serious safety issues and substandard work carried out by the defendant. Photographs of these works were shown to the Court. Mr. Gaughan also falsely claimed on two occasions that he could provide certification for the electrical works.

On 14 January 2025, at Ballina District Court, Judge Lydon directed that Mr. Gaughan repay the homeowner the full amount paid to him for the illegal electrical works namely €1,700. Having considered the contents of a Probation Report prepared in respect of Mr. Gaughan and a Victim Impact Statement of the home owner, Judge Lydon convicted Mr. Gaughan and imposed fines and costs totaling €1,500, in addition to the €1,700 which was paid over to the home owner. In passing sentence Judge Lydon commented that if it was not for the guilty plea in mitigation by Mr. Gaughan’s solicitor she would have imposed a suspended prison sentence given the grave nature of the offences.

It is illegal for a person or company to carry out Restricted Electrical Works or to falsely portray themselves as registered, unless they are a Registered Electrical Contractor with the Safe Electric Scheme.

There are approximately 4,000 Registered Electrical Contractors (RECs) in Ireland. By using a REC, consumers can have confidence that they are dealing with a competent contractor who has the required electrical expertise to ensure the safe operation of their electrical installation. The REC is insured, and a sample of their work is inspected by Safe Electric on an annual basis. A REC must issue you with a completion certificate for electrical works carried out.

The penalties for non-compliance for those caught undertaking restricted electrical works, or falsely portraying themselves as a registered contractor, include a fine of up to €50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 years.

Members of the public who wish to report an unregistered individual who has undertaken electrical works or has portrayed themselves as a Registered Electrical Contractor should visit www.safeelectric.ie.

The CRU’s Commissioner, Fergal Mulligan, said: “This prosecution sends out a clear message to both unregistered electrical contractors and consumers. Always ask your electrician if they are a Safe Electric Registered Electrical Contractor before they commence electrical work in your home and request a completion certificate for any work carried out.”