Courts / Dublin / Report
No jail for grandfather who offered "cheaper energy" by tampering with meters
Summary
James McLoughlin, 42, of Summer Street South, was given a suspended three‑year sentence for tampering with ESB and Bord Gais meters between July 2013 and February 2014. He admitted to criminally damaging two Bord Gais meters and an ESB meter, possessing a stolen Bord Gais meter, and interfering with meters at Benbulbin Road, Drimnagh. McLoughlin offered a "cheaper" energy service, claiming to allow free gas flow for €100 and advising a woman to top her meter by €10 a week. Engineers from Bord Gais and ESB described his actions as extremely dangerous, risking electrocution, gas leaks and explosions. He has 42 prior convictions, including traffic and theft offences, and has serious mental health and addiction problems. The judge noted his efforts at rehabilitation and imposed a suspended sentence to avoid detrimental incarceration at this time. James McLoughlin pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: No jail for grandfather who offered "cheaper energy" by tampering with meters. Charges or matters: criminally damaging two Bord Gais meters and an ESB meter at Summer Street South between July 2, 2013 and February 25, 2014; possessing a stolen Bord Gais meter at his address on February 25, 2014 and to interfering with a Bord Gais meter and ESB meter between June 26, 2013 and February 25, 2014; interfering with a Bord Gais meter at Benbulbin Road, Drimnagh between March 1, and May 31, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 2, 2013 Incident
- February 25, 2014 Incident
- June 26, 2013 Incident
- March 1 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 31, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2014 Incident
- 2016-11-28 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: criminally damaging two Bord Gais meters and an ESB meter at Summer Street South between July 2, 2013 and February 25, 2014; possessing a stolen Bord Gais meter at his address on February 25, 2014 and to interfering with a Bord Gais meter and ESB meter between June 26, 2013 and February 25, 2014; interfering with a Bord Gais meter at Benbulbin Road, Drimnagh between March 1, and May 31, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Berkeley imposed a three year sentence which she suspended for four years.
Places mentioned
- Summer Street
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Summer Street
- Benbulbin Road
- McLoughlin's house
Topics
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