Stryker firm faces charges after fatal death at Carrigtwohill plant in 2023

US medical devices company, Stryker, has been charged with alleged breaches of health and safety regulations following an explosion at a Cork plant in 2023 where a contractor died after he suffered burns to 75% of his body.

Contractor and father of three John Murphy, aged 41, of Condonstown, Watergrasshill, Co Cork, died at St James Hospital in Dublin on June 9, 2023.

His passing occurred nearly two months after an industrial accident at the Stryker plant in Carrigtwohill in East Cork on April 18.

Mr Murphy was carrying out work on the roof at the time. He was able to make it down off the roof but became unresponsive a short time later.

He was treated at the burns unit in the Dublin hospital. However, he never regained consciousness again.

A Health and Safety investigation was carried out in the aftermath of the incident.

The DPP subsequently directed that Stryker face seven charges for alleged breaches of health and safety legislation.

Yesterday at a sitting of Midleton Court, Emmet Boyle, BL, representing the DPP indicated it was the first day the case was before the courts.

He sought an adjournment in the case until December 3.

Mr Boyle told Judge Colm Roberts that the DPP had directed that the case be returned for trial at Circuit Court level.

The case can also be returned to the court on a signed plea of guilty.

The judge agreed to adjourn the case until December 3 to facilitate disclosure.

Stryker was represented by barrister Alison Fynes, BL, who applied for and was granted discovery of the file in the case.

The alleged offences are contrary to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.

It is alleged that they failed to make an appropriate risk assessment, failed to clarify places where an explosive atmosphere may occur, and failed to ensure that titanium dust particles did not rise from the production floor and enter the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system on the roof, thereby exposing Mr Murphy to risk for his safety and welfare.

It is further alleged that the company had failed to identify hazardous places under their control, failed to manage and conduct an undertaking in such a way that people were not exposed to a risk to their safety, failed to carry out a risk assessment, and failed to coordinate measures required by Part 8 of the Act.

Members of the Murphy family were outside the court in Midleton for the short hearing.

They did not take questions from the media, as the legal process is ongoing.

Stryker established a base in Cork in 1998, and currently employs around 4,000 people in six Cork locations.

Mr Murphy is survived by his wife Daniela, children Kayla, Jayden, and Dylan, his parents Sean and Eileen, his five siblings, nieces, nephews, in laws, extended family, colleagues, and a wide circle of friends.

He was laid to rest at Ballinaltig cemetery in June 2023 following a requiem mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Watergrasshill, Co Cork.