Security fears after second suicide bid from crane

SECURITY will be stepped up at Munster’s largest hospital after a man threatened to jump from a tower crane on site.

It was the second such incident at Cork University Hospital (CUH) since September.

The drama unfolded on Tuesday night when a man gained access to the PJ Walls-controlled building site of CUH’s new maternity hospital just before 9pm.

He climbed to the top of one of the tower cranes and threatened to jump. Another man threatened to jump from a crane on the site on September 28 last.

Emergency services were alerted and gardaí, six units of the fire brigade, and two ambulances were on the scene within minutes. A medical team was put on standby at the hospital as a large crowd of onlookers gathered on the Wilton dual carriageway.

However, Cork City Fire Brigade talked the man down just before 9.30pm.

A health board spokesperson declined to give details about the man, but said he is receiving medical attention. While the site is on SHB land, security arrangements are the responsibility of PJ Walls. “A full review is taking place by PJ Walls and measures will be put in place to enhance security,” the SHB said.

PJ Walls spokesman Pat McDevitt declined to give details of the new arrangements.

“But it is now the most protected crane in the country. Arrangements will be put in place to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” he said.

A full security review took place after last September’s incident. A 2.5 metre hoarding was erected around the building site, nearly 50cm higher than recommended.

Meetings between the SHB and PJ Walls take place every two weeks to review, among other things, security on site. It is understood the tower crane at the centre of Tuesday night’s drama will be decommissioned when crane work finishes within the next two weeks.