Two companies and two men appear in court over death of Ipswich employee at Newmarket roadworks
The crash scene at Lidgate - Credit: Gregg Brown
A company is facing a potential multi-million pound fine after indicating a guilty plea to a health and safety charge following the death of a road worker.
Aidan Gallagher - Credit: Archant
Father-of three Aidan Gallagher, who lived in Ipswich and Felixstowe during more than 12 years in Suffolk, died on the B1063 at Lidgate, near Newmarket in 2014.
Yesterday four defendants appeared before Ipswich magistrates in relation to alleged health and safety at work breaches in connection with the 37-year-old’s death.
An indicated guilty plea was entered on behalf of Kier Integrated Services Ltd, of Sandy, Bedfordshire, which could now face a payout of between £1.5 million and £6m.
The company was accused of failing to discharge its duty of health and safety to a person other than an employee on or before May 13, 2014.
Another company Sean Hegarty Ltd, of London Road, Ipswich, did not enter a plea.
It is accused of being an employer which failed to discharge its duty of health, safety and welfare to an employee on the same date.
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It is alleged it did not ensure vehicles and pedestrians could move safely around roadworks.
Two men involved with the company Mark Hegarty, of Tylers Green, Trimley St Mary, and Sean Geoffrey Hegarty, of High Road West, Felixstowe, are charged with being an employer failing to discharge its health, safety and welfare duty to an employee.
Neither entered a plea to the accusations.
Briony Clarke, prosecuting for the Health and Safety Executive, told magistrates: “This matter very sadly relates to a fatality which occurred on May 13, 2014, that took place on the B1063 at Lidgate.”
Should either of the two Hegartys be convicted they could face between one and two years in jail.
Their company could face a fine of between £150,000 and £450,000.
The case was sent to Ipswich Crown Court where the Hegartys and their company are due to appear on September 26.
Kier Intergrated Services will next appear on a date to be fixed.
It is believed Mr Gallagher died after being struck by a vehicle.
The ambulance service was called at around 10.30am.
Mr Gallagher died en route to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
