A Cork steel making firm which closed down two years ago was fined €5,000 for a breach of the Health and Safety Act leading to the death of one of its employees.
The charge stemmed from at incident at the Irish Ispat plant in Haulbowline, Co Cork, during which a plant worker was put in danger during the transfer of molten steel.
Thomas Mulcahy (53), died after a fire at the Irish Ispat plant on January 15th, 2001.
Mr Mulcahy became trapped in a laboratory in which he was working after a fire broke out during the transfer of molten steel. His colleagues tried in vain to break a window with a crowbar in order to rescue him.
Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard yesterday that Irish Ispat went in to liquidation in June of 2001.
On sentencing Judge Sean O'Donnabhain said normally in cases of this nature a large fine is handed down in order to act as a warning to companies who breach health and safety laws.
However, he stated there was little point in fining the company a substantial amount because it was no longer in operation.
He fined the company €5,000, giving its liquidators six months to pay the money.