Quinn group fined 100k over accident that killed employee

A local construction product manufacturing company has been £100,000 for breaching health and safety regulations relating to the death of Fermanagh senior footballer Brian Óg Maguire three-years-ago.

Lisnaskea native Mr Maguire was injured in the accident that occurred at the Quinn Group’s pre-stress concrete plant on Ballyconnell Road, near Derrylin on September 13, 2012.

Quinn Building Products Limited, who now own the factory, had previously accepted the charges relating to the tragic death and pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees on the date of the accident.

The firm also pleaded guilty to a further charge of failing to ensure that work equipment involved in the production of pre-stressed concrete was maintained in “an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair”.

Members of Mr Maguire’s family were present at Omagh Crown Court this afternoon for sentencing in the case where Judge Paul Ramsey QC imposed fines of £50,000 in respect of each charge and also ordered the firm to pay prosecution costs of £7,712.

QIH: was represented by managing director, Liam McCaffrey, who stood in the dock during proceedings.

In a joint-statement released after the hearing, Brian Óg's grieving parents, Brian and Eileen Maguire, said that there were still a lot of “unanswered questions”. They believe that if the proper health and safety procedures had been in place, their son would be alive today.

“The horror of what we had to face that day is still unbearable, the pain excruciating and relentless. It is very difficult to accept that he is gone. Brian Óg's death was not only a devastating loss to us but also his girlfriend Meadhbh, our extended family, his friends, and team mates in Lisnaskea Emmetts, Fermanagh and further afield,” the statement said.

Quinn Building Products Limited has previously accepted the charges relating to the tragic death of Brian Óg Maguire in September 2012, and accepts the fine imposed by the Court today.

Although not involved in the business at the time of accident, Directors at QIHL have this afternoon released a statement accepting that “shortcomings” had existed at the time.

“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.

Since taking control of the business, Quinn Building Products Limited has worked closely with the Health & Safety Executive and implemented significant changes to work practices, and continues to make every possible effort to ensure that no such incident occurs again.

Finally, we wish to place on record our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Brian Óg Maguire,” a spokesperson for QIHL said.