Ireland Waste firm sent for trial over workplace death at Dublin plant
On 6 April 2022, 32-year-old man Radu Alexandru Chertes died at the premises of Starrus Eco Holdings Limited, trading as Panda Waste Management Solutions, on Cappagh Road, Finglas, Dublin 11. The prosecution, following a Health and Safety Authority investigation, alleges the company failed to maintain a safe system of work, adequate control measures, and proper training for clearing blockages in an M&J Pre-Shred 4000S machine. The company, which has yet to enter a plea, faced six charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 at Dublin District Court on 7 September 2026. On 5 October 2026, Judge Anthony Halpin granted a return for trial order, sending the firm to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed for mention on 19 November.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 Sep
4 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The prosecution follows the death of 32-year-old man Radu Alexandru Chertes of Five Lamps, Cappagh Road, Finglas.
- Where
- The incident occurred at the company's premises on Cappagh Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.
- When
- The fatal incident took place on 6 April 2022.
- Cause
- The prosecution alleges the company failed to maintain a safe system of work, adequate control measures, and proper training, instruction, and supervision for clearing blockages in an M&J Pre-Shred 4000S machine.
- Investigation
- The prosecution followed a Health and Safety Authority investigation into the death.
- Charges
- The company faces six charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
- In court
- The case came before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court on 7 September 2026, and the DPP decided the company will face trial on indictment in the Circuit Court.
- On 5 October 2026, Judge Halpin granted a return for trial order, sending the company to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed for mention on 19 November.
- Other details
- The company has yet to enter a plea.
- The inquest, opened in November 2022, has been adjourned pending the outcome of the judicial process.
34 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe prosecution followed a death, that of Radu Alexandru Chertes, aged 32. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe charges state that an employee suffered injuries and died as a consequence of the alleged failings. (thejournal.ie)
- whatWaste company Panda faces trial over a fatal workplace incident at a Dublin recycling plant. (rte.ie)
- whatThe death was of 32-year-old Radu Alexandru Chertes of Five Lamps, Cappagh Road, Finglas. (rte.ie)
- whatThe company is Starrus Eco Holdings Limited, trading as Panda Waste Management Solutions, based in Tallaght. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe prosecution claims the company failed to maintain a safe system of work, adequate control measures, and proper training, instruction, and supervision for clearing blockages in an M&J Pre-Shred 4000S machine. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAs a consequence of the alleged failings, the employee Chertes suffered injuries and died. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWaste company Panda has been sent forward for trial over a fatal workplace incident at a Dublin recycling plant. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAn employee suffered injuries and died in the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident happened at the company's premises on Cappagh Road, Finglas, Dublin 11. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident was at the company's premises on Cappagh Road, Finglas, Dublin 11. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe charges relate to an incident on 6 April 2022. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- whenThe fatal incident occurred on 6 April 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened on April 6th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe firm is alleged to have failed to ensure the safety, health and welfare of its employees so far as reasonably practicable. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe prosecution claims the company failed to maintain a safe system of work, control measures, and training, instruction and supervision for clearing blockages in an M&J Pre-Shred 4000S machine. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe prosecution claims the company failed to maintain a safe system of work and proper training for clearing blockages in an M&J Pre-Shred 4000S machine. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe prosecution followed a Health and Safety Authority investigation. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe case followed a Health and Safety Authority investigation into the death. (rte.ie)
- chargeThe company faces six charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie, irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe charges state that an employee, Mr Chertes, suffered injuries and died as a consequence of the alleged failings. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case came before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court on Monday. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe company has yet to enter a plea. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- courtThe DPP has decided the company will face trial on indictment in the Circuit Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the case for four weeks to complete a book of evidence. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- courtThe case came before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court. (rte.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP decided the company will face trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned for four weeks to complete a book of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions decided the company will face trial on indictment, and it has yet to enter a plea. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe firm was formally sent to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed for mention on November 19th. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe inquest has been adjourned pending the outcome of the judicial process. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherThe inquest into the death has been adjourned pending the outcome of the judicial process. (rte.ie)
- otherThe inquest was opened in November 2022. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Oct2026Waste firm Panda sent for trial over worker’s death at Dublin plant
Reports that Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court granted a return for trial order, sending the company to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on six workplace safety charges. Details the specific alleged failings (safe system of work, control measures, training for clearing blockages in an M&J Pre-Shred 4000S machine) and notes the inquest opened in November 2022 has been adjourned pending the judicial process.
victim, Radu Alexandru Chertes, 32, male, non-irish (judged from name)Radu Alexandru Chertesaccused, Starrus Eco Holdings Limited, namedStarrus Eco Holdings Limited - 7 Sep2026Waste firm Panda faces trial over fatal workplace incident at Dublin recycling plant
The company faces six charges for failing to ensure safety, health and welfare of employees, specifically regarding clearing blockages in an M&J Pre-Shred 4000S machine. The DPP has decided the company will face trial on indictment in the Circuit Court. The case was adjourned four weeks to complete a book of evidence. The inquest, opened in November 2022, is adjourned pending the outcome of the judicial process.
victim, Radu Alexandru Chertes, 32, male, non-irish (judged from name)Radu Alexandru Chertes - 7 Sep2026Waste firm Panda faces trial over recycling plant death
First report of the court appearance. The company faces trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, and the case was adjourned for four weeks for the book of evidence. The inquest is adjourned pending the judicial process.
victim, Radu Alexandru Chertes, 32, maleRadu Alexandru Chertesaccused, Starrus Eco Holdings Limited, trading as Panda Waste Management Solutions, namedStarrus Eco Holdings Limited, trading as Panda Waste Management Solutions - 1 Sep2026Waste company Panda faces trial over fatal workplace incident at Dublin recycling plant
Reports the company's first court appearance, the DPP's decision on trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, and the four-week adjournment; the company has yet to enter a plea.
victim, Radu Alexandru Chertes, 32, maleRadu Alexandru Chertesaccused, Starrus Eco Holdings Limited, trading as Panda Waste Management Solutions, namedStarrus Eco Holdings Limited, trading as Panda Waste Management Solutions