Kerry Co Council aims to halt HSA investigation into fatal road accident

Kerry Co Council has brought a High Court challenge aimed at stopping the Health and Safety Authority from investigating a road traffic accident that claimed the life of a young man late last month.

Don Murphy, 22, of Knocknaloman, Rathmore was fatally injured when the car he was driving crashed.

The ESB apprentice was alone in the car when the accident occurred. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Today the High Court heard that the HSA intends to carry out an investigation into an accident involving a single car that occurred on the N72 at Rathmore Co. Kerry between 10.30pm and 10.50pm on September 29, 2012.

The Council claims that works were being carried out on that particular section of road, but had finished at around 3.15pm on September 28, the day before the accident. Two-lane traffic had been restored.

It was Kerry Co Council's position that because the accident did not take place at a place of work, the HSA is not entitled to carry out an investigation into the accident.

The matter was adjourned to a date in January.