Asbestos death inquest adjourned

A coroner yesterday adjourned an inquest into the death of a man from a malignant tumour caused by asbestos poisoning to ensure…

A coroner yesterday adjourned an inquest into the death of a man from a malignant tumour caused by asbestos poisoning to ensure that the Health and Safety Authority was aware of the hearing. Dr Catherine Keohane, a pathologist, said the tumour found on the lung of Anthony Carlile (62), from Radwell, Whitegate, Co Cork, was the type associated with exposure to asbestos. The Cork city coroner, Mr Cornelius Riordan, said he was obliged to ensure that the statutory body had been notified about an inquest where the Safety at Work Act might have been breached. He adjourned the inquest until Tuesday to allow this to be done.

Mr Carlile, who died on September 4th, 1996, was employed by the ESB. A solicitor representing his family said the company where Mr Carlile worked was regarded as a good employer. Dr Keohane said the interval between exposure to asbestos and the development of this particular cancer was always long.