Northern Ireland

Company admits health and safety offences arising from Primark fire

The landmark Belfast city centre building was destroyed in a huge fire
The landmark Belfast city centre building was destroyed in a huge fire The landmark Belfast city centre building was destroyed in a huge fire

A COMPANY based in Co Waterford has admitted two health and safety offences arising from the Primark fire in Belfast.

A representative from AF Roofing attended Belfast Crown Court where he entered guilty pleas to the two charges.

After entering the dock, the company representative was charged with being an employer and failing to ensure the health and safety of employees on August 28, 2018.

When the charge was put to him, he replied "yes, guilty".

A second offence of being an employer and failing to ensure non-employees were exposed to risks to their health and safety was also levelled at the company.

When a court clerk asked him "on behalf of AF Roofing, do you plead guilty or not guilty to that count", he replied "guilty".

Representatives for two other companies - Bennett Management Contractors (GB) Ltd and Boyd Project Services Ltd - have already appeared in court and entered not guilty pleas to similar offences.

All the charges arise from a blaze which broke out at the Primark store on Belfast's Royal Avenue whilst the premises was undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment and extension. The refurbishment and redevelopment of the historic building took four years to complete and Primark re-opened its doors to shoppers at the start of this month.

Following pleas on behalf of AF Roofing, which is based at Knocknastooka in Co Waterford, Judge Donna McColgan KC noted that two other companies have denied the charges.

She said she would review the case on January 20 and confirmed a trial has been scheduled to take place next May.