Case No. 1347Fatal workplace accident (personal injury – death) · Co. Dublin · 28 Oct 2021
High Court approves €185,000 settlement for children of man crushed at Dublin quarry
Christopher Miley, 31, of Valleymount, Co Wicklow, was knocked down and crushed by a loader shovel machine at Behan Quarry in Rathcoole, Dublin, on 28 October 2021 in wet and dark conditions early in the morning. His long-term partner, Shelly Keating, brought a personal injury action on behalf of the family against five defendants, alleging a failure to provide adequate lighting outside of daylight hours. No liability was admitted by any defendant. In July 2025, Mr Justice Paul Coffey in the High Court approved a settled payment of €185,000 for the couple's three daughters.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court10 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Christopher Miley, 31, of Valleymount, Co Wicklow, was knocked down and crushed by a loader shovel machine that reversed over him.
- Where
- The incident occurred at Behan Quarry in Rathcoole, Dublin.
- When
- The incident occurred on 28 October 2021 in wet and dark conditions early in the morning.
- Cause
- There was an alleged failure to provide adequate lighting outside of daylight hours.
- Investigation
- Shelly Keating, Mr Miley's long-term partner of nine years, brought a personal injury action on behalf of the family against five defendants.
- Charges
- The five defendants were Shannon Valley Plant Hire Unlimited Company, Laurence Behan snr, L Behan and Sons Ltd, L Behan Aggregates and Recycling Ltd, and MPM Oil trading as Euro Oil.
- In court
- No liability was admitted by any defendant in the High Court proceedings.
- Mr Justice Paul Coffey approved a settled payment of €185,000 for the three children in July 2025.
- Other details
- Ms Keating and Mr Miley had three daughters and intended to marry once a family home build was complete.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatChristopher Miley, 31, of Valleymount, Co Wicklow, died on 28 October 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was knocked down and crushed by a loader shovel machine at a Dublin quarry. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was knocked down by the digger-type machine in wet and dark conditions early in the morning. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShelly Keating, his long-term partner, brought a personal injury action on behalf of the family against five defendants. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe loading shovel machine reversed over him. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at Behan Quarry in Rathcoole, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThere was an alleged failure to provide adequate lighting outside of daylight hours. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe five defendants were Shannon Valley Plant Hire Unlimited Company, Laurence Behan snr, L Behan and Sons Ltd, L Behan Aggregates and Recycling Ltd, and MPM Oil trading as Euro Oil. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHugh Mohan SC represented Ms Keating and told the court the matter had been settled after negotiations. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Paul Coffey approved the settlement of €185,000 for the children. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNo liability was admitted by any defendant in the High Court proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMs Keating was in a close relationship with Mr Miley for nine years and they had three daughters. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe couple intended to marry once a family home build was complete. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Jul2025High Court approves €185,000 settlement for three children of man fatally crushed at quarry
Reports the High Court's approval of a €185,000 settlement for the three children of the deceased, with Mr Justice Paul Coffey offering his deepest sympathy to the partner present in court.
victim, Christopher Miley, 31, male, irish (judged from name)Christopher Mileyvictim, Shelly Keating, female, irish (judged from name)Shelly Keatingvictim, female