An investigation by the Health and Safety Authority into the death of a contract worker at a Cork factory over two years ago is still ongoing, an inquest has heard.
John Murphy, 41, a married father from Condonstown, Watergrasshill, sustained third-degree burns across 75% of his body after a suspected explosion at US medical device manufacturer Stryker’s plant in Carrigtwohill on April 18, 2023.
He died from his injuries almost two months later on June 9, 2023, in the specialist burns unit in St James’s Hospital in Dublin, where he had been transferred after originally being treated at Cork University Hospital.
Another work colleague of the deceased was also injured in the workplace accident.
Mr Murphy was working for a facilities management company, Apleona, on the roof of the Stryker factory at the time of the fatal incident.
He was able to make it down off the roof but became unresponsive a short time later and never regained consciousness.
An inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, Frank Kearns, told a brief sitting of Dublin District Coroner’s Court the circumstances of Mr Murphy’s death were still under investigation.
Asked by the coroner, Clare Keane, if there was a particular reason why the matter was still with the HSA, Mr Kearns said he was just aware it was still under investigation, but confirmed a file on the case would be forwarded to the DPP.
The HSA inspector noted the death had taken place in 2023 but added such cases “do take a lot of time”. Mr Kearns said he would ensure Mr Murphy’s family, who did not attend the latest proceedings, would be notified of the outcome of the hearing.
Dr Keane granted the application by the HSA for a six-month adjournment of the inquest as criminal proceedings are being considered.
In March 2024, Mr Murphy’s family initiated High Court proceedings against Stryker Ireland Limited and Apleona Ireland Limited over his death.
A High Court judge also granted their application to have a legal representative attend an engineering inspection of the factory.
Meanwhile, Siptu said “grave health and safety concerns” have been raised about Stryker’s operations in Cork following another fire at one of its facilities last week.
Siptu spokesperson Neil McGowan said the trade union was calling on the US company’s chief executive, Kevin Lobo, to intervene at the highest level to ensure a meeting between local management and worker representatives took place.
Concerns have been expressed about claims an automatic alarm system failed to sound following a fire at Stryker’s Tullagreen plant in the IDA Business Park in Carrigtwohill on August 6.
No injuries were sustained during the incident and all staff were safely evacuated from the building.