LIDL Helmets take a Battering - or Not as the Case May Be
Talking Balls
German company LIDL, best known for bringing obscure brands of continental salami and chocolate, cut price vegetables and affordable Ciabatta and antipasto to the Irish marketplace, has had to issue an announcement recalling 1,200 €49.99 Pro-Guard hurling helmets after the headgear failed safety tests.It is six weeks since the German company raised eyebrows round the country with its foray into our national small ball game. The ads in the national media claimed that the headgear had passed the only official standard for hurling helmets.
The helmets along with associated sliotars and hurleys were endorsed at their launch by Cork Ledge Brian Corcoran who said: “I am proud to endorse Lidl’s hurling equipment, which I highly recommend. It is suitable for all age groups and abilities. The range offers GAA clubs, parents and players the opportunity to purchase good quality products at affordable prices. The PRO-GUARD helmet aims to reduce the cost of protecting players without sacrificing their safety. The equipment is great for training on the pitch or road and is ideal for taking every day abuse.”
On Thursday LIDL issued a series of advertisements recalling the goods. A spokeswoman said: “Despite relevant assurances and certificates from our Irish supplier it has come to our attention that further tests carried out on the product have failed to comply with the relevant standards.”
The National Standards Authority of Ireland said samples failed to meet a specific safety requirement for hurling and camogie helmets. Lidl’s helmet was €25 cheaper than the Mycro helmet which is the only headgear officially endorsed by the GAA. At the time LIDL said they would “not apologise for offering a high quality helmet at a significantly lower price than officially endorsed products”.
Customers should stop using the helmets with immediate effect and return it to LIDL for a full refund.