Friday 30 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. 16634Health and safety offence (workplace safety failures causing personal injury) · Co. Dublin · 14 Jan 2020

Waterways Ireland and employee sent for trial over homeless man's injuries on Dublin canal bank

On 14 January 2020, a homeless Eritrean man in his 30s, Elias Adane, was paralysed when a mechanical digger cleared his tent from the Grand Canal bank at Leeson Street Bridge, Dublin 2. A Health and Safety Authority investigation followed, and the DPP authorised charges against Waterways Ireland and an employee, Jennifer Blackford, a woman, under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. At Dublin District Court, before Judge Anthony Halpin, the DPP consented to both defendants being sent forward for trial, a report published on 16 July 2024. The latest development is the return-for-trial order sending the case to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the case listed for mention on 11 October.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court16 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Waterways Ireland and an employee, Jennifer Blackford, have been sent forward for trial over a homeless man being paralysed.
  • A homeless Eritrean man, Elias Adane, in his 30s, was paralysed when a mechanical digger cleared his tent from the Grand Canal bank.
Where
The incident happened at the canal bank at Leeson Street Bridge, Dublin 2.
When
The man was injured on 14 January 2020.
Investigation
A Health and Safety Authority investigation was carried out and a file was sent to the DPP.
Charges
  • The DPP authorised charges against Waterways Ireland and an employee, Jennifer Blackford, under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
  • The charges include failing to check whether the man's tent was occupied before it was removed.
In court
  • The prosecution had its first listing before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court, where the DPP consented to the defendants being sent forward for trial on indictment.
  • Judge Halpin ordered the DPP to provide copies of interview videos to the defence and told Ms Blackford to notify the prosecution within 14 days if she intended to rely on an alibi.
  • A return-for-trial order sent Waterways Ireland and Ms Blackford, who is on bail, to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
  • The case will be listed for mention on 11 October.
Other details
The defendants have not yet indicated how they intend to plead.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatWaterways Ireland has been sent forward for trial over a homeless man being paralysed. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatA homeless Eritrean man was paralysed when a mechanical digger cleared his tent from the Grand Canal bank. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at the canal bank at Leeson Street Bridge, Dublin 2. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe man was injured on 14 January 2020. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationA Health and Safety Authority investigation was carried out and a file was sent to the DPP. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe DPP authorised charges against Waterways Ireland and an employee, Jennifer Blackford. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe offences are under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe charges include failing to check whether the man's tent was occupied before it was removed. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution had its first listing before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe DPP consented to the defendants being sent forward for trial on indictment. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtJudge Halpin ordered the DPP to provide copies of interview videos to the defence. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMs Blackford was told to notify the prosecution within 14 days if she intended to rely on an alibi. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtA return-for-trial order sent Waterways Ireland and Ms Blackford, who is on bail, to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe case will be listed for mention on 11 October. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe defendants have not yet indicated how they intend to plead. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Jul2024
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Waterways Ireland sent for trial over homeless man paralysed by digger on Dublin canal bank

    Reports the Dublin District Court hearing at which Waterways Ireland and Ms Blackford were sent forward for trial, and the next mention date of 11 October. No existing case in the list matches this incident.

    victim, Elias Adane, 30s, male, Eritrean, non-irishElias Adaneaccused, Jennifer Blackford, female, namedJennifer Blackfordaccused, Waterways Ireland, namedWaterways Ireland