Almost 100 close calls with gas lines in Cork last year

Cork farmers are being urged to ‘Dial Before You Dig’ as the Rebel County records the nation’s highest rate of gas pipeline encroachments.

There were ten instances of potentially dangerous activity near gas transmission pipelines in Cork last year according to new data, with four incidents recorded so far in 2026.

There were also 86 accidental third-party hits to gas distribution pipelines in Cork during 2025.

While distribution pipelines operate at lower pressures than the transmission network, damage to underground gas infrastructure can still have serious consequences.

When the number of incidents is considered against the length of the county’s gas transmission pipeline network, Cork has the highest rate of encroachments in the country.

Cork has almost 2,000 kilometres of gas pipeline running through the city and county, with around 90,000 homes and businesses connected to the gas network and gas transmission pipelines running through the land of 735 landowners and farmers.

The figures come as part of Gas Networks Ireland’s ‘Dial Before You Dig’ campaign which aims to highlight the importance of checking what lies underground before starting work, particularly in rural areas where pipelines can cross farmland.

Gas Networks Ireland’s head of health, safety and quality, Paul O’Brien said: “There are thousands of kilometres of gas pipelines running underground across Ireland, with the majority of transmission pipelines crossing farmland.

“Our figures show that potentially unsafe activity near gas transmission pipelines continues to occur more than once a week, with ditch clearing the most common activity.”

However, according to Mr O’Brien, more and more people are taking the time to check before they dig.

He continued: “We received 37,000 ‘Dial Before You Dig’ requests last year. We want to see that number continue to grow. Whether you are cleaning a ditch, carrying out drainage work, putting up fencing or using machinery to excavate, ‘Dial Before You Dig’ before you start work.

“It is a simple step that can help prevent damage to underground infrastructure and, most importantly, help keep people safe.”

Gas Networks Ireland's ‘Dial Before You Dig' service provides information, advice, and maps on Ireland’s entire gas pipeline network.