An urgent warning to hurling and camogie players not to use fake “Gola” branded helmets has been issued by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
Gola does not make helmets and does not license the Gola brand to any other company to make helmets.
However, the CCPC said counterfeit Gola branding has been added to batches of substandard helmets that do not meet safety requirements. Users of the helmets could be in danger of significant injury.
The CCPC said users of the helmets, which are circulating online and in Christmas markets, risk serious injuries to the face, head and eyes.
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Product safety inspections found poor quality helmets with protruding screws and sharp edges.
Often sold via online marketplaces and social media and generally purchased for their “retro-style”, the helmets do not meet basic PPE standards and will not protect the wearer from injury.
CCPC member Patrick Kenny warned shoppers not to purchase any of these helmets “for yourself or anyone else this Christmas”.
Our product safety officers are working to remove these dangerous helmets from the Irish market. If you currently use one of these helmets, stop using it and buy a standard, CE-marked helmet from a reputable retailer instead.”
Chairperson of the Gaelic games Helmet Work Group Jim Bolger said, “purchasing and using a compliant helmet system which meets the NSAI standard IS: 355 is of the utmost importance in terms of ensuring player safety and welfare in hurling and camogie at all levels. It is worth noting that if a helmet system is purchased when incomplete, that is without a compatible faceguard, it cannot be considered an item of personal protection equipment.”
“In particular, we are concerned about juvenile players using these helmets and encourage parents and players to only buy helmets from reputable sources.”
The CCPC advised people to “buy your helmet from a reputable retailer – not an unreliable online source”.
The CCPC is the statutory body responsible for ensuring that a wide range of products sold in Ireland meet specific regulations. This includes toys, domestic gas and electrical appliances, general consumer products, and consumer PPE such as hurling and camogie helmets. CCPC product safety experts investigate consumer complaints about unsafe products, inspect products for compliance with safety regulations, and work with manufacturers, importers, retailers, Customs and other EU product safety bodies to keep consumers safe.
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