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Irish Ferries fined after driver was crushed to death under crane at Dublin Port
Summary
Irish Ferries Ltd, of B & I Ferryport, Dublin 1, was fined €125,000 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to failing to provide designated pedestrian walkways in a cargo handling area. The charge relates to an incident on October 28, 2011, where Stephen Bayfield, a crane driver employed by outsourced contractor Scruttons Northern Ireland Ltd, was crushed to death by a crane tyre. Company representative Paul Sullivan entered the guilty plea on behalf of the firm, which has no previous convictions. Prosecuting counsel Fionnuala O'Sullivan BL presented evidence from Health and Safety Authority inspector Padraic McMahon, who stated that Bayfield was struck while walking through a gap between containers. Although the crane had working klaxons and flashing lights, the site lacked designated walkways at the time, a deficiency Irish Ferries has since rectified. Defending counsel Shane Murphy SC argued that the outsourced company held responsibility for day-to-day site management. Judge Martin Nolan accepted the plea and noted the company's full cooperation and apology to the deceased's family. The judge imposed the fine, allowing the company two months to pay, while extending condolences to the Bayfield family.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Irish Ferries fined after driver was crushed to death under crane at Dublin Port. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 28, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-06-25 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) Irish Ferries has been fined €125,000 for failing to have designated pedestrian walkways at a Dublin Port cargo area where a crane driver was crushed to death, a court has heard.
Places mentioned
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