Quarry owner fails to appear at employee’s inquest

Coroner warns Frank Harrington he will issue a witness summons

Anton McNulty

The inquest into the death of a Charlestown man who died in a quarry accident in 2015 had to be adjourned after the owner of the quarry failed to appear at the hearing in Castlebar.
Joseph Harrington (27) of Soonagh, Charlestown, died after sustaining fatal injuries while operating machinery in a quarry operated by Harrington Concrete and Quarries at Aughamore, Ballyhaunis, on June 11, 2015.
The inquest, which had been adjourned on a number of occasions following his death, was finally due to be heard in full yesterday (Monday). However, it was once again adjourned when Frank Harrington, the owner of Harrington Concrete and Quarries, failed to appear.
Coroner for Mayo, Patrick O’Connor, described Frank Harrington’s absence as ‘unsatisfactory’. He said that in his 33 years as a coroner, he had only ever issued one witness summons, but was prepared to do so again in this instance.
He said that on February 20, he had advised all parties that the inquest would be going ahead in April, and he had directed that Mr Harrington should be present.
Sergeant Conor Drury described to Mr O’Connor the efforts that the Gardaí had made to contact Frank Harrington in order to remind him of the inquest. Sgt Drury phoned Mr Harrington’s mobile phone on April 9, but the ringtone indicated that he was out of the country. He was subsequently informed by Mr Harrington’s office that he was on business in Germany and would not be back in the country until the end of the week.
Garda Brendan Walsh also sent Frank Harrington a text on his mobile phone, but he did not get a reply back. On the morning of the inquest, Garda Walsh got in contact with Mr Harrington’s son, who replied that his father was not aware the inquest was taking place that morning.
Brian Gill, solicitor for the family of Joseph Harrington, said that it was critical to the inquest that Mr Harrington be present to answer questions, and he requested that the inquest be adjourned in full.
Mr Donal McGann, solicitor for Harrington Concrete and Quarries and Mr Harrington, was requested to make contact with his client to find out why he was not present.
After a short adjournment, Mr McGann said his client did not know he was required to appear and that he was now ‘down the country’. He added that he was prepared to attend on another date, and that there was no need to issue a summons.
Mr Gill accepted that the witnesses who had travelled for the inquest may be discommoded by an adjournment, but he felt it was appropriate to do so.
Mr O’Connor said he had initially proposed that the inquest  go ahead, but given the family’s request for an adjournment, it would be better to adjourn. He accepted Mr McGann’s assurances that Frank Harrington would appear on the next date, but he added that if there was a risk he would not, he would issue a witness summons. The inquest was adjourned until May 21.