A BUILDER and his two sons will be sentenced today after pleading guilty to breaches of health and safety on a site in Roscommon which led to the death of a 49-year old Polish worker.
Seán Doyle and his son John, who are directors of Owencrest Properties Ltd of Circular Road, Roscommon, along with another son, Noel Doyle, a director of Roscommon Building Co Ltd of Ardsallagh, Roscommon, pleaded guilty to the offences at Roscommon Circuit Court yesterday.
Following talks between prosecution and defence lawyers, a jury panel that had been assembled was discharged.
The three men were arraigned and pleaded guilty to two charges each arising from the accident that claimed the life of Czeslav Malinowski.
The court was told that the accident happened at Main Street in Roscommon town on April 14th, 2006.
Noel Doyle admitted failing to ensure that individuals were not exposed to a risk to their safety, health and welfare at the worksite.
The charge referred specifically to failures in respect of the condition, maintenance and operation of a teleporter prior to elevating the work platform on which Malinowski was standing.
The charge also included that the teleporter was permitted to be driven by Seán Doyle, an uncertified operator, while Malinowski was standing on the work platform without a safety harness, prior to it tilting and causing the death of Malinowski.
Noel Doyle also admitted failing to ensure that the work platform was safe. John Doyle pleaded guilty to failing to provide a teleporter that was safe.
The court was told the teleporter did not have a tilt lock pin to disengage the tilt mechanism.
John Doyle also pleaded guilty to failing to identify certain hazards in the workplace, especially the risk to persons working at heights.
Seán Doyle pleaded guilty to his failure to ensure the safety, health and welfare of his employees, by failing to provide a teleporter that was safe. He also admitted failing to identify certain hazards in the workplace, in particular the risk to persons working at heights.
Judge Michael White was told that Malinowski’s widow would attend the sentencing.