Supermarket in court after fatal accident in car park
The case came before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
A Mayo supermarket company has pleaded guilty to five breaches of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act after a woman was knocked down and killed by a delivery truck driver.
Maureen Hopkins, aged 76, of Rosmoney, Carrowholly, Westport, died after she was hit by a lorry in the car park of SuperValu, Westport on June 6, 2024. Last March, delivery driver Mihail Tanasevici, aged 42, of Woodford Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 was sentenced to five months in prison after he pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to careless driving causing Mrs Hopkins’ death.
Noel Kavanagh, Managing Director of Kavanagh Retail Unlimited Company, entered a guilty plea to five breaches of the Safety, Health, and Welfare at Work Act at a sitting of the court on Friday. The breaches under the Act include failing to ensure adequate traffic management, and safety measures for vehicles and pedestrians in the car park. The fifth count determined that the company failed to take the necessary steps to implement measures to improve the safety, health and welfare of employees after a risk assessment that was carried out.
Barrister Brendan McDonagh said he was instructed by his client to again offer condolences and sympathies to the Hopkins family.
Judge Eoin Garavan adjourned sentencing to November 6 next.
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
