Code:
...
io.on('connection', function(socket){
  console.log('a user connected');
	var irc = require("irc");
	var config = {
		channels: ["#mal1t1a"],
		server: "lion-o.hopto.org",
		botName: "א",
		oauth: "oauth:YOURUNIQUEOAUTHTOKEN",
		autoRejoin: false,
		autoConnect: true,
		floodProtection: true,
		floodProtectionDelay: 3000,
		encoding: 'windows-1255'
	};
...

Result:
a user connected
IRC Error: { prefix: 'lion-o.hopto.org',
  server: 'lion-o.hopto.org',
  command: 'err_erroneusnickname',
  rawCommand: '432',
  commandType: 'error',
  args: [ 'א', 'Nickname is unavailable: Illegal characters' ] }