Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 8417Workplace safety offence causing death · Co. Limerick · 30 Jul 2020

Dairymaster convicted and fined over workplace death in Limerick

Danny Mullins, a 76-year-old man, was crushed by a pneumatic gate at a milking parlour on his family farm at Glenacurrane, Anglesboro, County Limerick, on 30 July 2020. The Health and Safety Authority investigated and brought criminal charges against Dairymaster Unlimited Company, based in Causeway, County Kerry, for failing to ensure the gate it supplied and installed was safe. The company pleaded guilty to six charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. On 27 July 2026, Judge Simon McAleese convicted the company and imposed a fine of €400,000, with three months to pay.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted9 Jul
  6. Sentenced28 Jul
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Danny Mullins, aged 76, was crushed by a pneumatic gate used to control cow movement at a milking parlour.
Where
The incident occurred at a milking parlour on the family farm at Glenacurrane, Anglesboro, County Limerick.
When
The fatal incident occurred on 30 July 2020.
Cause
Dairymaster Unlimited Company failed to ensure the gate it supplied and installed was safe.
Investigation
The Health and Safety Authority investigated and brought criminal charges against the company.
Charges
Dairymaster Unlimited Company pleaded guilty to six charges of breaching safety, health and welfare at work legislation under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
In court
The case was heard at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Simon McAleese.
Sentence
On 27 July 2026 the company was fined €400,000 with three months to pay, after a headline penalty of €1 million was set.
Other details
The company, based in Causeway, County Kerry, has no previous convictions.
33 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDanny Mullins was 76 years old when he died. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatDairymaster was fined €400,000 after pleading guilty to several charges arising from the death of a man in 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatDanny Mullins, aged 76, was crushed by a pneumatic gate used to control cow movement. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened on the family farm at Glenacurrane, Anglesboro. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe fatal incident happened at a dairy farm in County Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at a milking parlour on the family farm at Glenacurrane, Anglesboro. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenDanny Mullins died on July 30, 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe fatal incident occurred on 30 July 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on July 30, 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeMr Mullins was crushed by a pneumatic gate used to control cows at a milking parlour. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThe company failed to ensure the gate it supplied and installed was safe. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThe farmer was fatally injured on his farm in Anglesboro by a pneumatic powered parlour back entry gate. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeMr Mullins was crushed after getting caught in the gate as it closed. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe Health and Safety Authority investigated and brought criminal charges against the company. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe Health and Safety Authority investigated and criminal charges were brought against the company, which is based in Causeway, County Kerry. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeFive of the six charges were technical, and one related directly to Mr Mullins's death. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeDairymaster Unlimited Company had earlier pleaded guilty to six charges of breaching safety, health and welfare at work legislation. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeOne charge related directly to Mr Mullins’ death under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Limerick Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtDairymaster pleaded guilty to several charges arising from the death. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Simon McAleese convicted and fined the company on Monday, July 27 at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe remaining counts were taken into consideration. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe sentencing hearing took place at Limerick Circuit Court before Judge Simon McAleese. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge adjourned the matter and a sentencing date will be fixed later. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe company was fined a total of €400,000. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceA fine of €200,000 was imposed for a breach of Section 16(3) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceA fine of €200,000 was imposed for a breach of Section 16(1)(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline penalty of €1 million. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a €400,000 fine in respect of two charges, with the rest taken into consideration. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceDairymaster was given three months to pay the fine. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe company has no previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe HSA said manufacturers must ensure their products are safe for use at work. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jul2026
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, follow-up
    'A dreadful mistake' led to retired Limerick farmer's death, court hears

    Sentencing report for a corporate prosecution under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 over a 2020 workplace death; the company pleaded guilty to several charges and was fined €400,000.

    victim, Danny Mullins, 76, male, irish (judged from name)Danny Mullinsconvicted, Dairymaster, named, irish (judged from name)Dairymaster
  2. 28 Jul2026
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, follow-up
    Irish dairy equipment company convicted and fined over death of Limerick farmer

    Reports the Circuit Court conviction and €400,000 fine of Dairymaster Unlimited Company on Monday 27 July 2026, and the HSA's response, for a fatal 2020 workplace incident.

    victim, Danny Mullins, 76, irish (judged from name)Danny Mullinsconvicted, Dairymaster Unlimited Company, named, irish (judged from name)Dairymaster Unlimited Company
  3. 9 Jul2026
    Convictedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    'Accident waiting to happen' - company pleads guilty over death of Limerick farmer

    Reports the company's guilty pleas at a sentencing hearing, the HSA evidence, and that sentence was adjourned to a later date.

    victim, Danny Mullins, 76, male, irish (judged from name)Danny Mullinsconvicted, Dairymaster, namedDairymaster