Company admits breaches of health and safety legislation following death in Westport car park

A 76-year-old woman died after being struck by a truck in a supermarket car park in Westport, County Mayo. The incident occurred on June 6, 2024, when a delivery driver moved his vehicle forward to allow another vehicle to leave. The driver did not see the woman before the collision and was travelling at about 1 km/h. The driver later pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death and received a five-month sentence. Kavanagh Retailing Unlimited Company admitted five breaches of health and safety legislation under Section 77 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The breaches related to inadequate traffic management and unsafe organisation of pedestrian and vehicle movement in outdoor and indoor work areas. The company will be sentenced by Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court on June 29.

"A company in west Mayo has admitted five breaches of health and safety legislation after an incident in which a 76-year-old woman was fatally struck by a truck in a supermarket car park. Kavanagh Retailing Unlimited Company, based at Shop Street, Westport, County Mayo, will be sentenced by Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court on June 29 after pleading to all charges at Wednesday's sitting of Castlebar District Court."

"On June 6, 2024, Tanasevici was moving his vehicle forward to let a vehicle move out of Kavanagh's Supervalu car park in Westport when the front of the truck collided with Ms Hopkins. He did not see Ms Hopkins before the collision and was travelling at 1 km/h at the time. He is currently serving a five-month sentence after pleading guilty to one count of careless driving causing death."

"After he was sentenced in March, Kavanagh Retailing Unlimited Company were separately charged with five breaches under Section 77 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 by Castlebar District Court. The charges included failing to implement adequate traffic management measures in the car park and failing to ensure that the outdoor and indoor places of work were organised so that pedestrians and vehicles could exit safely."

"Appearing before Castlebar District Court today, Mr Bob McArdle, solicitor for the company, said his client understood the accusations and was entering signed pleas to all charges. He said the plea was signed pursuant to the valid power of attorney. Judge Vincent Deane agreed to send the matter forward to the next sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court for sentenc"

Read at Irish Independent