‘I was in bed and heard this very loud bang’

A MAN living in the shadow of the Corden plant spoke of his concerns after his home was rocked by the fatal explosion yesterday.

Japanese national Kyosuke Ogino, who works for a computer company in Little Island, lives in a cottage just across the road from the front gate of the chemical plant.

The badly damaged production facility — the seat of the explosion — is just a few hundred yards from his front door.

The smell of burning chemicals hung heavy in the air as he spoke of his shock.

“The sound was very frightening,” he said.

“I was in bed and heard this very loud bang. I went outside and could see huge clouds of white smoke in the sky. And there was a smell of burning chemicals.”

The fumes affected his eyes and his breathing so he went back indoors. He was still feeling sick yesterday.

Mr Ogino, who has lived in the cottage for two years, said he was very concerned given that this was the second explosion at the plant in as many months.

“This is the second explosion. Anything can happen in a chemical plant but it shouldn’t happen.”

The Environmental Protection Agency confirmed there was a release of chemicals into the atmosphere during the explosion.

But the agency said it was satisfied that there is no ongoing release or risk of environmental pollution.

Local councillors raised their concerns about the safety of plants in Little Island at a meeting of Cork County Council yesterday.

Cllr John Gilroy said while his thoughts are with the dead man’s family, the authorities must ensure that everything is done to ensure that local residents are not put at undue risk.

County manager Martin Riordan said he expects to receive a full report from fire officers who are investigating the accident.

He said that the report will be made available to councillors.

“It’s too early to comment on the specifics of this incident until the investigations are complete,” Mr Gilroy said.

“But local residents must get assurances that everything possible is being done in terms of ensuring their safety.”

Deputy Kathleen Lynch of Labour also said that local residents need reassurances that all necessary measures are being taken by local factories to prevent any further such accidents.

“This man’s death brings to 18 the number of workplace deaths in Ireland so far this year,” she said.

“The Health and Safety Authority must leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of this.

“Labour believes that workers require additional protection in the workplace, and that the law needs to be strengthened in this regard.

“Specifically, we believe that there should be a provision for the crime of corporate manslaughter, as recommended by the Law Reform Commission.”

Corden PharmaChem has been manufacturing active ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry since 1974 and employs 107 people.

The plant manufactures the bulk active ingredients for a number of drugs for the treatment of cancer, blood pressure and psychosis.