A man arrested on Tuesday for tampering with gas meters may have risked safety of people living in and around 200 premises in Dublin.
The man in his 30s was arrested in a house in Kilmainham and released the next day.
Follow-up investigations at 10 other houses the man is believed to have worked on in locations from Balinteer to Swords also found evidence of meter tampering and criminal damage.
A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Service delivery manager at Bord Gáis Networks John Memery said public safety was the company's main priority.
“We have seen an increase in the prevalence of gas meter tampering throughout the country through an increase in detection of meter tampering and increasing numbers of tip-offs from members of the public,” he said.
“Tampering with a gas meter is not only illegal but also presents a serious public safety concern.
“I urge anyone who suspects that their gas meter has been tampered with to contact us on 1850 200 694 or on www.bordgaisnetworks.ie/metertampering.”
A spokeswoman for Bord Gáis said the company is calling on people who have tampered with their own meters to get in touch, but would not say whether prosecutions for the illegal activity would be brought forward at a later date. The spokeswoman said the main concern is public safety.