They might actually disconnect the service to the house until the bills are paid. I think they would be getting this quite alot now.
To save yourself the hassle on this why dont you install an ESB and Bord Gais token meter.
You can't just install a meter, for many reasons. One being you'll be lucky to find anyone to rent from you with one, and another being they are generally only used now for people in extreme arrears.
Not true - If you are the Owner of a property, willing to pay the meter exchange fee and there are Payzone / Paypoint outlets in your locality where credit can be purchased there is no issue.
On the other hand, if you are renting from a local authority, in bad arrears, you must seek permission from the Local Authority before the exchange will go ahead. In these cases where it is for financial hardship, the exchange fee is usually waved.
There is the issue that most would be renters will refuse to rent from you with a meter, as they are much more expensive and more hassle. And its a renters market. You'd have to be mad as a landlord, or only intererested in a particular type of tenant......