Trident to reopen before ‘gas’ probe is complete

THE hotel at the centre of an investigation following the death of a woman from a suspected gas leak will reopen for business before an investigation by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is completed.

The Trident hotel in Kinsale, Co Cork, was temporarily closed earlier this month following the death of Miriam Reidy, 35, from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

But hotel bosses have announced they are hosting a high-profile Dragon’s Den-style event in just over two weeks.

The hotel’s bar opened back up for business last week, but a well-placed source said he expected the hotel to be fully open for business in time for the February 17 event, which will be attended by Dragon’s Den star Bobby Kerr.

However, Mark Ryan, a spokesman for the HSA&, yesterday confirmed that investigations will not be completed by the time the hotel is expected to open.

“The investigation is still ongoing and certainly won’t be finished in a week or two. But we won’t be stopping the hotel opening.

“The hotel closed voluntarily and the only way we could have forced it to close would have been to go to the High Court, but we had no reason to go down that path.

“What the hotel does is their business, as long as it doesn’t interfere with our investigation. But if it is re-opened by February 17, our investigations will still be ongoing.”

Before the hotel reopens a new boiler system will need to be fitted and certified, it is understood.

According to a report yesterday, three new boilers were fitted shortly before Christmas — one of which is understood to have been the source of the gas leak with killed Ms Reidy.

The hotel’s boiler house — believed to be the source of the fatal gas leak — has been removed by investigators.

But a source at the hotel said he hopes the upcoming event will help turn round the hotel’s fortunes.

“We’re expecting a good crowd and we need some enthusiasm at this stage.

“We’re delighted to have opened part of the hotel already and have received tremendous support locally. But we expect to be fully open by the time of the Dragons’ Den event.”

The event, tagged Kinsale Dragons’ Secret Den, is the brainchild of local Green Councillor Alan Clayton and has been backed by the town council and Chamber of Tourism.

Dragon’s Den star and Insomnia founder Bobby Kerr will give tips to budding entrepreneurs.

Cllr Clayton said: “After the tragic event at the Trident, this is exactly what the whole town needs.

“Hopefully we’ll generate some great ideas for entrepreneurs and community projects.”