The family of an ESB worker who died following an explosion at a generating station has been awarded almost three-quarters of a million euro in a settlement by the semi-State company.
Ms Mary Healy and her four sons received a total of €745,000 in settlement from the ESB at the High Court in Cork yesterday following the death of her husband, Michael, who was fatally injured in an explosion at the Tarbert generating station on July 3rd, 2003.
Mr Healy (48) and a colleague, Mr Patrick McCrohan (38) were testing switch gear to start a high-voltage motor at the plant when a circuit-breaker failed to interrupt delivery of current, and there was an explosion which engulfed both men in flames.
A work colleague, Mr Dermot Thornton grabbed two fire extinguishers in an attempt to quench the fire. When it subsided, he managed to make his way up to the operating floor overhead to raise the alarm.
Both Mr Healy and Mr McCrohan - along with Mr Thornton who was also injured in the fire - were given first aid at the scene by a local GP before being transferred to Tralee General Hospital for treatment.
Mr Healy, from Tieraclea, Tarbert, and Mr McCrohan, from Doon, Tralee, were later transferred to Cork University Hospital where Mr McCrohan died of his injuries on July 4th, while Mr Healy died a week later.
Yesterday at the High Court Mr Gerard Tynan SC, for Mrs Healy and her family, said the tragedy of the case was compounded for her by the fact that it was her second marriage, and Mr Healy's death followed the loss of her first husband around 1990.
Yesterday's settlement offer by the ESB was made on foot of two claims, one by Mrs Healy and her four sons, three of whom were Mr Healy's stepsons, and one separate claim brought by her fourth son, Michael Healy jnr, aged 12, the son of the deceased.
Mrs Healy and her four sons, including Michael Healy jnr, received a total of €645,000 in settlement, while Michael Healy jnr received a further €100,000 in settlement of his own separate claim. His award was lodged in court until he reaches the age of 18.
Mr Tynan said the tragedy, which was the subject of an investigation by the Health and Safety Authority, had caused great upset to the Healy family.
Mr Justice Peart said it was clearly in everyone's interests that some finality be brought to the appalling situation.
He extended his sympathies to the family of the deceased after approving the settlement offer.
Mr Tynan said that, while the ESB did not make a legal concession of liability in the case, the company had been very fair, and the settlement offer represented the full value of the case, which would have been awarded had full liability been admitted.
