A shipping company whose breach of health and safety laws resulted in the death of an experienced welder two years ago has been fined €850,000.
James Byrne was killed instantly on 6 June 2018 when a six-metre steel column fell on top of him.
Doyle Shipping pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to failing to manage work activities at McKearn's Yard, Ocean Pier in Dublin.
His family said today that Mr Byrne's death could have been avoided and they hope no other family has to go through what they have had to.
Mr Byrne was an experienced welder who was working on a hopper, a large metal construction used to offload grain from ships.
On 6 June 2018, he used a blowtorch to separate a six-metre steel column from a larger metal structure.
As he stood up and was walking towards his van, the column fell over and hit him.
The father-of-two died as a result of catastrophic internal injuries, including injuries to his heart.
A Health and Safety Authority Investigation found the welder had to work in "a danger zone" and more than one man was required to do this work safely.
Doyle Shipping Group Unlimited was prosecuted and pleaded guilty to failing to manage work activities.
Judge Pauline Codd said the employer breached its obligation to ensure employees are not put at unnecessary hazard and fined the company €850,000.
Afterwards, Mr Byrne's partner Pauline said they would never get over his death.
She said that for a father to go to work and not come home is something that should not have happened.
