The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has issued a warning to all camogie and hurling players to cease use of Gola branded helmets.
The helmets are manufactured without faceguards. To meet health and safety standards, faceguards must be added at the point where they are manufactured and not afterwards.
It's said that the helmets, which pose a risk of "serious injury to face, head, and eyes" prioritise "style over safety" and that inspections found "protruding screws" and "sharp edges".
The helmets have been sold through websites like Done Deal.
"The CCPC is issuing an urgent warning to Hurling and Camogie players to cease use of all ‘Gola’ branded helmets immediately," reads a statement issued through the GAA.
"Often sold via online marketplaces and social media and generally purchased for style reasons, the helmets do not meet basic PPE standards and will not protect the wearer from injury.
"The company Gola does not make helmets and does not licence the Gola brand to any other company to make helmets; however, counterfeit ‘Gola’ branding has been added to batches of sub-standard, retro-styled helmets which do not meet safety requirements."
CCPC member Patrick Kenny said: "Do not purchase one 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."
Jim Bolger, the Chairperson of the Gaelic Games Helmet Work Group, added:
"Purchasing and using a compliant helmet system (helmet complete with faceguard added at the point of manufacture, thus making it an item of Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE) 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 (i.e., without a compatible faceguard) it cannot be considered an item of PPE.”
"In particular, we are concerned about juvenile players using these helmets and encourage parents and players to only buy helmets from reputable sources."
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