Inquest rules accidental death for Wexford council worker killed during Storm Eunice
Wexford PeopleThe Health and Safety Authority has said that lessons need be learned for how county councils utilise staff during severe weather warnings following the death of a Wexford man during Storm Eunice in 2022.
The comments were made during the inquest into the death of Wexford County Council worker William ‘Billy’ Kinsella, from Ballythomas Hill in Gorey, Co Wexford, who was working to clear debris from a road leading to the local school near his home when he was fatally injured after a tree came down in strong winds.
Jimmy Stanley, a local man, told the court that on February 18 2022 he had been using his JCB digger to help move trees on the road in the aftermath of Storm Eunice when he came across workers from Wexford County Council and aided them in their efforts to clear a roadway at Ballythomas.
James Byrne, foreman at Wexford County Council, stated that on the morning the weather had calmed down and the workers were on site to clear the roadway for a local funeral. The council men had come across a tree which was tangled in a telephone line and were assessing how to proceed with the situation. Mr Kinsella had gone into the nearby field to assess the treeline when another tree started to fall following a sudden gust of wind. The men could not see Mr Kinsella in the field but called out to him, when they got no response they went into the field where they discovered Billy and called the emergency services.
Trevor Ryan, inspector with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), prepared a report on this incident. Mr Ryan relayed what had happened on the day and added that Wexford County Council are permitted to work in an orange weather warning. He stated that since the day in question all trees have been removed from the ditch line in this area.
Mr Ryan said there are lessons to be learned from this and a letter has been issued to Wexford County Council to review their training – there is currently an extreme weather protocol in place which will be updated once training becomes available.
A file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in this matter in which they directed non-prosecution.
Fíona Reynolds, coroner for Wexford, recorded a verdict of accidental death before extending her deepest sympathies to the family.
The solicitor attending on behalf of Wexford County Council also extended his condolences to the family. He added that he will report back to the family of Mr Kinsella once the severe weather plan is review. He commended Mr. Kinsella on his actions of being a good, caring citizen who was also an extremely valued employee who passed as a result of a tremendous unfortunate accident.