Saturday 31 October 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. 20425Workplace safety offence (fatal accident) · Co. Tipperary · 26 Jun 2016

Farm owner sentenced to 12 months after worker killed in Tipperary telehandler accident

On 26 June 2016 a telehandler went out of control at a farm near Fethard, County Tipperary, fatally injuring one worker and seriously injuring a second employee, who was taken to Cork University Hospital. The telehandler was later found to be unsafe to operate, and the employer, a man who owned both the farm and the telehandler, pleaded guilty to charges under workplace safety legislation. In July 2023 Clonmel Circuit Court sentenced the farm owner to 12 months in prison, the latest development in the case.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A telehandler used at the farm went out of control during the incident.
  • The telehandler was found to be unsafe to operate, with its brakes, accelerator cable, transmission selector, cab door and seat belt in disrepair.
  • One worker was fatally injured in the accident.
  • A second employee suffered a serious leg injury and was taken to Cork University Hospital for emergency treatment.
Cause
The employer reportedly failed to manage and conduct work activities so as to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare of employees.
Where
The accident occurred at a farm near Fethard, County Tipperary.
When
  • The accident occurred on 26 June 2016.
  • The sentence was handed down in July 2023.
Other details
  • The employer owned both the farm and the telehandler.
  • The offence is recorded as a workplace safety offence arising from a fatal accident.
Charges
  • The employer pleaded guilty to charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
  • The employer pleaded guilty to charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007.
In court
The case was decided at Clonmel Circuit Court.
Sentence
The farm owner was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA telehandler went out of control during the incident. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatThe telehandler was found to be unsafe to operate. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatOne worker was fatally injured in the accident. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatA second employee suffered a serious leg injury and was taken to Cork University Hospital. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatThe employer owned both the farm and the telehandler. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatThe telehandler was in a dangerous condition, unsafe and unfit for use. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatThe brakes, accelerator cable, transmission selector, cab door and seat belt were in disrepair. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereThe accident occurred at a farm near Fethard in Tipperary. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenThe accident occurred on 26 June 2016. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeThe employer pleaded guilty to charges in breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeThe employer pleaded guilty to charges in breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtThe case was decided at Clonmel Circuit Court. (corkbeo.ie)
  • sentenceThe farm owner was sentenced to 12 months in prison. (corkbeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Jul2023
    Sentencedcorkbeo.ie, first report
    Farm owner sentenced to 12 months after worker dies in accident

    Reports the sentencing of the unnamed farm owner to 12 months for workplace safety breaches following a fatal telehandler accident in 2016, including details of the vehicle's disrepair and the HSA's response.

    convicted, malevictimvictim