Courts / Dublin / Report

€850k fine after ship yard worker killed

Date
2020-12-09
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, the Doyle Shipping Group Unlimited was fined €850,000 for failing to manage the dismantling of a steel hopper at the McKearns Yard, which led to the instant death of welder James Byrne on 6 June 2018. Byrne, who had been using a blow torch to separate a six‑metre column from a larger metal structure, was killed when the column fell on him. The Health and Safety Authority investigation found that the company had not planned the task, had not used appropriate equipment, and had relied on a single employee to assess risks. Judge Pauline Codd noted the fatality, the obvious and significant risk, and the lack of mitigation, but accepted mitigating factors such as the guilty plea, cooperation, good safety record, and remedial spending. The fine was set at €850,000, with the company continuing to pay Byrne's salary and overtime to his partner.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: €850k fine after ship yard worker killed. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Trial

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