Inquests into workplace accidents and prison death

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) told city coroner Myra Cullinane yesterday it is preparing separate files for the DPP as part of its investigation into the death of Donal Scanlan following a welding incident in East Cork last November; and also as part of its probe into the death of Peter Downey in a cherrypicker incident in the city’s main bus depot just days later.

Mr Scanlan, 21, from Claddagh, Co Waterford, was seriously injured in an explosion while welding at a metal fabricators in an industrial estate in Youghal on the morning of November 18, 2015. He was airlifted in a critical condition to Cork University Hospital and pronounced dead there the next day.

Assistant State pathologist Margot Bolster told the coroner yesterday that a post- mortem concluded that he died from traumatic brain injury due to a penetrating head injury.

A HSA spokesman told Dr Cullinane its investigation into this incident is complex and will take time to complete.

Dr Cullinane granted his application for an adjournment of the inquest for up to six months to allow time for the investigation to conclude, and for the DPP to consider the file.

The coroner then opened the inquest into the death of Mr Downey, aged 59, a well-known GAA referee from Inniscarra, Co Cork.

Mr Downey died in Cork University Hospital on November 27, 2015, several days after the cherrypicker he was working on toppled over while he was working at the Bus Éireann Capwell depot.

Dr Bolster said a post- mortem found the cause of death was traumatic brain injury due to a fall from a height.

This inquest was also adjourned for six months to allow the HSA complete its probe.

Meanwhile, in the third workplace fatality case opened at the coroner’s court yesterday, the HSA confirmed that it has completed its investigation into the death of David Purcell, 72, from Macroom, Co Cork.

Mr Purcell died from a skull fracture and internal bleeding after an incident on his farm on December 12 last. The HSA said that Mr Purcell was the “main duty holder” and that, because he is deceased, no further action is required, clearing the inquest for full hearing in July.

Separately, an inquest into the death of an inmate at Cork Prison has been further adjourned because a man has been charged with his murder.

Graham Johnson, aged 41, from Bandon, Co Cork, died from a single stab wound to the chest during an altercation with another inmate in the former prison’s kitchen last May.

Sergeant Fergus Twomey told Dr Cullinane that the man charged in February with Mr Johnson’s murder, Brian Veale, with an address at Dominic St near Shandon, and originally from Dungarvan, has been sent forward for trial to Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The coroner granted his application for an adjournment of the inquest pending completion of criminal proceedings.

No inquest after manslaughter verdict

Criminal proceedings may be considered in relation to the deaths of two men in separate workplace accidents within days of each other in Cork, it has emerged.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) told city coroner Myra Cullinane yesterday it is preparing separate files for the DPP as part of its investigation into the death of Donal Scanlan following a welding incident in East Cork last November; and also as part of its probe into the death of Peter Downey in a cherrypicker incident in the city’s main bus depot just days later.

Mr Scanlan, 21, from Claddagh, Co Waterford, was seriously injured in an explosion while welding at a metal fabricators in an industrial estate in Youghal on the morning of November 18, 2015. He was airlifted in a critical condition to Cork University Hospital and pronounced dead there the next day.

Assistant State pathologist Margot Bolster told the coroner yesterday that a post- mortem concluded that he died from traumatic brain injury due to a penetrating head injury.

A HSA spokesman told Dr Cullinane its investigation into this incident is complex and will take time to complete.

Dr Cullinane granted his application for an adjournment of the inquest for up to six months to allow time for the investigation to conclude, and for the DPP to consider the file.

The coroner then opened the inquest into the death of Mr Downey, aged 59, a well-known GAA referee from Inniscarra, Co Cork.

Mr Downey died in Cork University Hospital on November 27, 2015, several days after the cherrypicker he was working on toppled over while he was working at the Bus Éireann Capwell depot.

Dr Bolster said a post- mortem found the cause of death was traumatic brain injury due to a fall from a height.

This inquest was also adjourned for six months to allow the HSA complete its probe.

Meanwhile, in the third workplace fatality case opened at the coroner’s court yesterday, the HSA confirmed that it has completed its investigation into the death of David Purcell, 72, from Macroom, Co Cork.

Mr Purcell died from a skull fracture and internal bleeding after an incident on his farm on December 12 last. The HSA said that Mr Purcell was the “main duty holder” and that, because he is deceased, no further action is required, clearing the inquest for full hearing in July.

Separately, an inquest into the death of an inmate at Cork Prison has been further adjourned because a man has been charged with his murder.

Graham Johnson, aged 41, from Bandon, Co Cork, died from a single stab wound to the chest during an altercation with another inmate in the former prison’s kitchen last May.

Sergeant Fergus Twomey told Dr Cullinane that the man charged in February with Mr Johnson’s murder, Brian Veale, with an address at Dominic St near Shandon, and originally from Dungarvan, has been sent forward for trial to Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The coroner granted his application for an adjournment of the inquest pending completion of criminal proceedings.