Gardaí and HSA investigate worker’s death in Cork

Two separate investigations are under way following the early morning death of a man in an industrial incident in a factory on the outskirts of Cork City.

The man, 35, who was originally from the Douglas area of the city but who, it is understood, had been living in West Cork, suffered fatal injuries when he was caught in a machine at the Architectural and Metal Systems (AMS) plant at Wallingstown in Little Island, at about 1.30am yesterday.

Yesterday’s fatality brought to 27 the number of work-related deaths so far this year. There were 56 work-related fatalities reported to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in 2015, with 55 in 2014.

AMS, established in 1990, specialises in the design and manufacture of high-performance facades, and window and door systems.

It has more than 70 employees, runs a 24-hour shift pattern, and is one of the largest independent aluminium systems companies in Ireland.

It is understood the victim was working on a machine used to extrude aluminium when the incident occurred.

The alarm was raised by colleagues who administered first aid as an ambulance rushed to the scene. The man was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

The area was sealed off and the body remained at the scene for a preliminary Garda examination before it was removed after 9.30am to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem.

Gardaí and the HSA have launched separate investigations of the incident.

The company issued a short statement confirming a fatal incident. It said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

Little Island Business Association chairman Michael Mulcahy said the tragedy had sent shockwaves through the local business and residential community.

“This is a tightknit business community and we all feel the pain that his family and colleagues are feeling today Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his colleagues. We will do what we can to support them,” he said.