Irish Security Firm Accused of Wage Theft Amid Collapse
A security company, BGS Security Ltd (BGSS), faced accusations of systematic “wage theft” before entering liquidation last year, a tribunal has heard. Multiple former employees have come forward alleging significant non-payment of wages, excessive working hours, and, in some cases, racial discrimination.
€4 an Hour for Grafton Street Security
Security guard Michael Ehigiato is pursuing employment rights complaints against BGSS, alleging he was paid just €4 an hour while guarding a high-end clothes shop on Dublin’s Grafton Street. According to testimony at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on March 12, 2026, Ehigiato worked an average of 54 hours per week, reaching 71 hours in one week during his roughly three-month tenure.
Cash-in-Hand Payments and Outstanding Wages
Ehigiato reportedly received only €3,000 in cash-in-hand payments during his employment. His union representative, Nicola Coleman of the Siptu Workers’ Rights Centre, stated this amounted to significantly less than the legal minimum wage for security workers. Text messages presented to the tribunal revealed Ehigiato repeatedly chased arrears of wages, stating he was “totally broke, owing debts” and had only €5 remaining in his bank account.
Widespread Complaints and Liquidator’s Challenges
Ehigiato is one of nine former BGSS staff represented by Siptu in ongoing complaints before the WRC, with three cases already heard. Coleman indicated that 20 staff initially contacted Siptu, but 11 were too “fearful” to pursue claims. BGSS reportedly operated at stores including Spar, Mace, Centra, and the North Face shop on Grafton Street.
The High Court appointed a liquidator, Tom Musiol of Musiol Advisory, to liquidate BGSS last November. Steven Gyurko, representing the liquidator, informed the WRC that they have been unable to contact any current or former officers of the company, including director Hugh Downes, who reportedly sold his Dublin home in August 2025 and may have left the country.
Previous WRC Rulings and Licence Revocation
Kipkorir Francis Kiptoo was awarded over €30,000 by a WRC adjudicator in July 2025 for non-payment of wages, marking the 16th successful claim against BGSS in the past 18 months, totaling over €140,000 in awards. The company’s Private Security Authority (PSA) licence to operate static security guards was revoked in June 2025.
Allegations of Targeting Vulnerable Workers
Coleman characterized BGSS as an operation based on “free labour” that systematically targeted vulnerable migrant workers, alleging the treatment constituted racial discrimination. She argued that such exploitation would not occur with Irish employees and represented “collective wage theft.” She further stated that BGSS gained an “unlawful competitive advantage” by cutting labor costs and undermining conditions for all workers in the sector.
Earlier Complaints and Allegations
In January 2025, James Ajibola alleged that BGSS hired him in July 2024 but paid him nothing for approximately 230 hours of work. He claimed a colleague told him he would have to “beg” the company for his wages and that the company targeted workers with limited English language proficiency. Ajibola was reportedly owed around €3,400.