Courts / Offaly / Report

Firm found guilty of breaching safety laws in testing of school bus later involved in fatal crash to appeal conviction

Date
2015-07-27
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Clara
County
Offaly

Summary

O'Reilly Commercials Limited, a vehicle testing firm, was found guilty of breaching health and safety laws during an official test of a school bus on 5–6 August 2005. The test, conducted under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, allegedly exposed persons to risk because the company failed to ensure safety, notably by not noting the bus's modified rear suspension system. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, after a 23‑day trial and nearly eight hours of jury deliberation, convicted the firm on the first count. The company was fined €25,000 on 29 July 2013. Mr John Deegan, a director, has applied to represent the company in an appeal, arguing that no other lawyer had represented the firm in such proceedings and that legal aid may be available. The Court of Appeal has scheduled a hearing for 23 October to decide the appeal and any legal‑aid application.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Firm found guilty of breaching safety laws in testing of school bus later involved in fatal crash to appeal conviction. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal

Topics

Stage Appeal

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