Plumber and firm on trial in hotel gas death

A plumber and his firm were yesterday sent for trial on separate charges to a circuit criminal court following the carbon monoxide poisoning, 18 months ago, of a hotel guest in Kinsale, Co Cork.

Richard Davis from Ballygarvan, Co Cork, faces a charge of the manslaughter of Miriam Reidy, who had been attending a hen party in the Trident Hotel when she died in Jan 2011.

He is a director of Davis Plumbing and Heating Contractors Ltd, with an address at Marina Commercial Park, Centre Park Rd, Cork. The company, separately, was also sent forward for trial to the sittings of Cork Circuit Criminal Court, which begin on Oct 30.

Both Mr Davis and the company face charges under the 2005 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act.

The charges against the company state that, in undertaking work at the Trident Hotel in the conversion of a Worchester Bosch Greenstar 40CDI boiler, it failed to ensure individuals, who were not employees, were not exposed to risks under the 2005 safety, health and welfare Act.

A second charge states that Miriam Reidy suffered personal injuries and died as a consequence of the company breaching its duties under the legislation.

Mr Davis, along with the manslaughter charge, is accused of breaches under the safety, health and welfare act which were attributable to connivance or neglect on his part.

Legal aid was approved for Mr Davis, solely, by Judge James McNulty at Kinsale District Court. The accused will be provided by the state with the services of junior and senior counsel.

State solicitor John Brosnan said the DPP had elected, in both cases, for trial by indictment.

Det Sgt Fergal Foley, Bandon Garda Station, testified he had served yesterday the book of evidence on Mr Davis while solicitor Diarmuid O’Shea accepted service of the book of evidence on behalf of the company, to be represented by solicitor Val Turnball.

Judge McNulty also advised Mr Davis that if at his trial he intends to rely on an alibi, he must present details to the prosecution within 14 days.

He was represented by solicitor Shane Collins-Daly who sought an extension of legal aid to cover the trial.

Mr Davis was released on bail of €1,000 with no other requirements.

An inquest in Cork last year heard Ms Reidy, who had been born in Ballyhahill, Co Limerick, but lived in Tralee, Co Kerry, died on Jan 9, 2011 from acute carbon monoxide poisoning.