A Waterford-based engineering company which installed a lift at a hotel in Killarney that collapsed, seriously injuring five people, has been fined €750,000.
However, the judge who imposed the fine has asked for the file on the case to be referred back to the Director of Public Prosecutions, after he was told that the company is in receivership and has no money to pay the fine.
Five members of the Meehan family from Dublin suffered serious injuries when a lift they were in plunged six metres to the basement of the Plaza Hotel in Killarney in July 2011.
The incident was described as a catastrophic collapse.
The company which installed the lift, Ellickson Engineering of Kilmurry, Waterford, was convicted of a breach of health and safety legislation relating to the installation of the lift, following a three-day trial in Tralee.
That breach led to the collapse of the lift, the court was told.
Judge Thomas E O'Donnell fined Ellickson Engineering €750,000.
The court was told by Health and Safety Inspector Vincent Darcy that the installation of the lift was not in compliance with any standards.
The court was also told the company - now in receivership - has no money to pay the fine.
It had assets of €8 million in 2008.
After imposing the fine, Judge O'Donnell asked for the file on the investigation to be referred back to the Director of Public Prosecutions, to see if it is possible to go behind the veil of incorporation given the very serious injuries which occurred in the collapse of the lift.
