A Kildare company has been fined €225,000 following the death of a worker more than five and a half years ago.
Kildare Chilling Company pleaded guilty to three charges of breaching safety, health and welfare legislation.
On the morning of 14 May 2020, at the firm's premises on Curragh Road in Kildare town, Binak Cokaj suffered fatal head injuries after the lid of a vacuum packing machine closed on him.
He was working as a packer at the time.
At Kildare Circuit Court, sitting in Naas, Judge Elva Duffy imposed the fine of €225,000.
The case was taken by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
Reacting to the outcome, HSA Chief Executive Mark Cullen said: "A worker tragically lost his life in circumstances that should never occur in any workplace.
"Employers have a clear legal duty to ensure that machinery is properly maintained, inspected and kept in a safe condition at all times.
"Failure to do so exposes workers to unacceptable risks.
"Today's outcome highlights the serious consequences when these responsibilities are not met."
It is the second time that Kildare Chilling Company has been taken to court in relation to a workplace fatality.
In January 2022, the company was fined €400,000 at Naas Circuit Court following the death of an employee who was struck and crushed by a mobile forklift truck on 15 February 2018.
