Ireland Case No. 8417Workplace safety offence causing death · Co. Limerick · 30 Jul 2020
Dairymaster fined €400,000 over death of Limerick farmer
On 30 July 2020, Danny Mullins, a 76-year-old man, was crushed by a pneumatic gate used to control cow movement at a milking parlour on his family farm at Glenacurrane, Anglesboro, County Limerick. The Health and Safety Authority investigated, and Dairymaster Unlimited Company, based in Causeway, County Kerry, was charged under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and pleaded guilty to six charges. On Monday 27 July 2026, Judge Simon McAleese at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court convicted and fined the company a total of €400,000, with the remaining counts taken into consideration. The latest development, reported on 30 July 2026, is that the judge set a headline penalty of €1 million and gave the company three months to pay the fine.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced28 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Dairymaster Unlimited Company was fined €400,000 after pleading guilty to several charges arising from the death of a man in 2020.
- Danny Mullins, aged 76, was crushed by a pneumatic gate used to control the movement of cows.
- Where
- The fatal incident happened at a milking parlour on the family farm at Glenacurrane, Anglesboro, County Limerick.
- When
- The incident occurred on 30 July 2020.
- Cause
- Mr Mullins was caught in the pneumatic powered parlour back entry gate as it closed.
- Investigation
- The Health and Safety Authority investigated and criminal charges were brought against the company, which is based in Causeway, County Kerry.
- Charges
- The company pleaded guilty to six charges of breaching safety, health and welfare at work legislation.
- One charge related directly to Mr Mullins's death under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
- In court
- On Monday 27 July 2026, Judge Simon McAleese convicted and fined the company at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, and the remaining counts were taken into consideration.
- Sentence
- The company was fined a total of €400,000, made up of €200,000 for a breach of Section 16(3) and €200,000 for a breach of Section 16(1)(a) of the 2005 Act.
- The judge set a headline penalty of €1 million.
- The company was given three months to pay the fine.
- Other details
- The company manufactured the gate, and the HSA said manufacturers must ensure their products are safe for use at work.
21 statements extracted from the articles
- 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 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)
- whenThe fatal incident occurred on 30 July 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on July 30, 2020. (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 criminal charges were brought against the company, which is based in Causeway, County Kerry. (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)
- 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 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 HSA said manufacturers must ensure their products are safe for use at work. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Jul2026'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 - 28 Jul2026Irish 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