Brian Og Maguire DP41
Quinn Building products Limited has pleaded guilty to two charges related to the death of former Fermanagh footballer Brian Og Maguire in 2012.
The 24-year-old former Lisnaskea Emmett’s man lost his life in an industrial work accident at the Quinn Building Products factory in Ballyconnell on September 13, 2012.
The firm’s managing director Liam McCaffrey appeared at Dungannon Crown Court today and entered pleas of guilty to two charges.
The charges are that on September 13, 2012 they as employer, failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees, including, in particular – the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work and, the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as was necessary to ensure, so far was as reasonably practicable, the health, and safety at work of employees. The second charge is that on the same date they failed to ensure that work equipment involved in the production of pre-stressed concrete, was maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order.
Members of the Maguire family were in Dungannon court today to hear proceedings.
Judge Melody McReynolds said that she could not hear the actual case due to a conflict of interest.
Prosecution Counsel Frank O’Donoghue said there would be a number of victim impact from the family of the deceased, who were in court.
He said it would take three or four weeks for this to happen.
The counsel added that the company would also have to produce a number of documents that would also take a few weeks.
Judge Melody McReynolds said the defendant was very active in sport and the family might wish to put some things before the court, at a later date.
Defence Counsel Kieran Mallon said he wished to place on record on behalf of the firm that the loss of Brian Og had been felt very keenly in the company business.
He said the Brian Og was an exceptionally popular work colleague and their sense of loss had not diminished with the passage of time.
Judge McReynolds adjourned the case for plea and sentencing on Thursday, October 8. The venue is to be confirmed.
In response to today’s court proceedings Quinn Industrial Holdings released a statement:
“The management of Quinn Building Products Limited acknowledges the outcome of the proceedings today related to the tragic death of our employee, Brian Óg Maguire in September 2012.
This tragic event occurred prior to the acquisition of the business by Quinn Industrial Holdings Limited. However the Company accepts that there were failings in its maintenance of appropriate Health & Safety regulations at the time of the accident.
Brian’s death remains a tragic loss to his family, his community and his work-colleagues and he is sadly missed by all his friends throughout the business.
The Company has worked closely with the Health & Safety Executive, implemented significant changes to work practices and made every possible effort to ensure that no such incident ever occurs again.”
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