A NORTHERN Ireland-based manufacturing and engineering company today pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches arising out of the death of 51-year-old father-of-two Steven McTeague in 2016.
However, a charge accusing American-owned Terex GB Ltd of causing the unlawful death of Mr McTeague on 14 July 2016 through a gross breach of its duty of care, was not proceeded with and 'allowed to remain on the books'.
Mr McTeague, who was originally from Omagh but had recently moved to Loughmacrory, was employed at the company’s Killyclogher site near Omagh.
He died in the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen, three days after being trapped under machinery.
At Dungannon Crown Court defence QC Frank O'Donoghue asked for all but the first charge under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act of 2007 to be put to director Paul O'Donnell.
As each of the three remaining charges of failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees; failed to ensure persons not in employment, but affected, were not exposed to health and safety risks, and failed to make suitable and sufficient risk assessments for health and safety of employees, Mr O'Donnell replied: "On behalf of the company guilty".
Following the guilty arraignment, prosecution QC Charles MacCreanor said that the pleas having been entered, he would apply to the court for the first count to be 'left on the books, on the usual terms'.
Judge Stephen Fowler said that he would deal with the case next month, hearing both from the prosecution and the defence for the Tyrone based company which manufacturers equipment used in the construction, quarrying and mining industries.
Judge Fowler said he would then wish to give the case some consideration before finally proceeding to pass sentence.
No details surrounding Mr McTeague's tragic death were outlined during the short preliminary hears, and his family, clearly upset by the proceedings, left court not wishing to say anything.
