€685k for widow over Luas works accident that killed husband

Eilis Crawford, who received a €685,000 settlement for the death of her husband George. Pic Collins Courts.

A widow whose husband died during construction works on the Dublin Luas line extension has settled her High Court action for €685,000.

Eilis Crawford (43) had sued over the death of her husband George, a father of two, in what the court heard was a tragic accident near the Luas Extension Project at Citywest Avenue, Dublin, on May 15, 2009.

Slabs

Mr Crawford, from Forge Meadow, Ballon, Co Carlow, was helping offload concrete slabs from a trailer parked on the roadway adjacent to the site compound near the Luas project.

As he was attaching the lifting chains to the lifting eyes of the slabs, the rear wheels of a teleporter lost contact with the ground and he was struck in the shoulder and back by the teleporter forks and killed.

Senior Counsel David Hardiman said it was a tragic accident and there was no question of contributory negligence.

Mrs Crawford had sued: building materials supplier Shareridge Ltd, of Castlebar, Co Mayo; BAM Rail Ltd, of Kill,Co Kildare; and teleporter driver Stephen Cannon, of Ballymote, Co Sligo.

It was alleged that there was a failure to ensure the safety, health and welfare at work of Mr Crawford.

The court also heard it was alleged that there was a failure to provide and maintain a safe and proper system of work.

As a result, it was claimed, Mrs Crawford and her son and daughter had suffered mental distress and injury.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross said while nothing could undo what happened, he hoped the settlement would be some consolation to the family.

Irish Independent