An agricultural businesss owner in north Co. Kerry has warned the public of alleged “fraud” involving fire extinguishers and safety equipment that has been continuing for many months across a few counties.
The business owner was approached by someone who claimed to be a legitimate seller of fire safety equipment back in November 2023.
The seller called to the business owner’s yard last November and sold him two or three extinguishers for machines at the yard, another for the workshop, and one for his house.
The owner ended up paying €1,400 for the equipment up front, while only receiving half of the purchased products, while arrangements were made that the rest of the products would be delivered later that week.
The business owner provided an email address to the seller for an emailed receipt copy, which never came through.
“I needed him out of my hair and he said that he would be down to the yard with the rest of the stuff Friday, so I assumed he would. He was very well dressed, well spoken, with a good car,” the business owner said.
Gardaí
The business owner has still not received the products and has been following up with phone calls continuously.
He said that his call is answered most of the time by the seller, but that he always has “some sort of excuse” to say that he is not in the area or is travelling with work.
The business owner said that neighbours in the area also fell victim of the same fraud, and that it “seems to be happening in Kerry, Cork and Limerick”.
The business owner reported the incident to gardaí in January, who have been following up on the case since.
“If our money is gone, so be it, but I just want him off the road, so other people don’t fall for the same stunt,” the business owner said.
Gardaí confirmed that they have received a number of reports of alleged fraud in Co. Cork in recent months and that enquiries are ongoing.
Fire extinguishers
Following the cases, Guardian Fire and Safety, based in Co. Wexford has warned that choosing fire safety equipment is “a critical decision for any business”.
The company has advised that buyers choose a reputable provider and ask for references.
It advised buyers to always check the date of manufacture which will be printed on the neck or bottom of the unit and check that units are manufactured to EN3 and carry the CE mark.
Buyers should ensure units are weighed during inspection, weight is recorded and that the provider issues buyers with a certificate in accordance with Irish Standard 291:2015 and A1:2022.