Courts / Dublin / Report
Former bar owners get community service after death of employee who was crushed to death in lift shaft
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former bar and nightclub owners James Lambert (46) and David McKee (42) pleaded guilty to failing to manage and conduct work activities to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees, resulting in the death of 31‑year‑old Stephen Hampson, who was crushed to death in a lift shaft at The Blu Bar. Lambert admitted to using the goods‑only lift despite prohibitive signs and to having threatened staff who used it. McKee, who had resigned as director in 2008, was found to have been present in the lift with Hampson an hour before the fatality and had previously been seen by staff as an authority figure. The judge, Mary Ellen Ring, ordered each man to carry out 200 hours of community service in lieu of a six‑month custodial sentence, warning that any further appearance before her would result in full prison time.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former bar owners get community service after death of employee who was crushed to death in lift shaft. Charges or matters: failing to manage and conduct work activities to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees; as a consequence of which Mr Hampson suffered personal injury and died on August 23, 2009; recklessly placing the safety, health and welfare of employees at risk at the venue on the same date; failing to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees; placing the health, safety and welfare of workers at risk as a consequence of which Mr Hampson suffered personal injury and died. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 2008 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 23, 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-10-22 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: failing to manage and conduct work activities to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees; as a consequence of which Mr Hampson suffered personal injury and died on August 23, 2009; recklessly placing the safety, health and welfare of employees at risk at the venue on the same date; failing to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees; placing the health, safety and welfare of workers at risk as a consequence of which Mr Hampson suffered personal injury and died (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said that a custodial sentence is appropriate in the case but also noted reports stating McKee and Lambert showed a high level of genuine remorse and victim empathy.
Defendant
Charges: failing to manage and conduct work activities to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees; as a consequence of which Mr Hampson suffered personal injury and died on August 23, 2009; recklessly placing the safety, health and welfare of employees at risk at the venue on the same date; failing to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees; placing the health, safety and welfare of workers at risk as a consequence of which Mr Hampson suffered personal injury and died (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: James Lambert (46) of Castlelawns, Tallaght) Two former bar and nightclub owners have been ordered to complete community service for health and safety breaches that resulted in an employee being crushed to death in a lift shaft. She said that a custodial sentence is appropriate in the case but also noted reports stating McKee and Lambert showed a high level of genuine remorse and victim empathy.
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