Protest to commemorate 23 workers killed in work related accidents

dublin | worker & community struggles and protests | feature

Friday April 28, 2006 18:41

by Jim

A large protest took place outside the offices of the Health and Safety Authority to mark international workers commemoration day. The protest was supported by BATU and SIPTU as well as local T.D. Ruairi Quinn and Sean Ryan T.D. of Labour. There was a considerable amount of corporate press photographers and tv cameras as well.

The family of Justin Foley were also present and they laid flowers for Justin at the doorstep of the HSA in Hogan place. There was a minutes silence at 12. Building workers held 23 crosses one - each to represent each worker killed in work related accidents during 2005.

On the 3rd of December 2002 Justin Foley, 21, was killed in an accident at work. This happened in Robinson's warehouse in the Ballymun Industrial Estate.

Justin worked for Davies Turner Transport. The loading bay on which he was standing was faulty - he had to stand on the driver's blind side while waving the articulated truck in. The truck reversed into him and he was caught between the truck and the wall. He was crushed to death and died instantly of severe traumatic brain stem injury.

The HSA were not present at the scene of the accident the day of the accident nor were they notified until the next day after - the scene was not preserved. Yet there was no prosecution for failure to notify.

The HSA did not take any action against the companies involved, which has forced the Foley family to take a civil case.

A hard days work never killed anyone? Justin Foley