Quarry firm fined over employee's death

A QUARRY company has been fined for breach of health and safety regulations following the death of a father-of-two in an industrial…

A QUARRY company has been fined for breach of health and safety regulations following the death of a father-of-two in an industrial accident.

Philip Breen, Grawn, Ballingarry, Co Tipperary died after a “mould box” for making concrete blocks fell on him while he was working at Gleeson Quarries, Laffanbridge, Thurles, Co Tipperary, on June 7th, 2005.

Quarry director Peter Gleeson appeared before Clonmel Circuit Court yesterday. The court heard that Mr Breen was filling in for a colleague and was not trained to use the block-making machine which resulted in his death.

Mr Gleeson pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of employees at his quarry on the date of the accident.

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Mr Gleeson said he came across the accident himself and said that it was the “most traumatic incident” that had ever taken place at the quarry.

Judge Thomas Teehan imposed fines totalling €3,000 in relation to the two charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989.