Family of teenager killed at Dublin Port told 'no meaningful update' if anyone will be prosecuted for his death

Seán McCárthaigh

The family of a teenager who was killed while working in Dublin Port over four years ago have been told there is “no meaningful update” over whether anyone will face criminal prosecution in relation to his death.

Matthew Grimes (19) from Clontarf died as a result of an accident on the premises of Doyle Shipping Group on Alexander Road in Dublin Port at around 3.30 pm on May 15th 2021.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroner’s Court this week heard that directions are still awaited from the DPP over an investigation in the fatal workplace accident by the Health and Safety Authority.

HSA inspector, Kevin Kavanagh, told the hearing, which was attended by the deceased’s mother, Rachel Ryan, that there was “no meaningful update” about the case since it previously came before the coroner’s court six months ago.

Mr Kavanagh told coroner Clare Keane that the HSA was still awaiting “final instructions” from the DPP.

Dr Keane had been informed last year that a file on the HSA’s investigation into Mr Grimes’ death had been forwarded to the DPP in August 2024.

Asked by the coroner if there had been any progress in the case over the past six months, Mr Kavanagh replied: “There is nothing I am able to share.”

He added: “There has been progress but not sufficient progress that we’re able to make an announcement in this forum.”

Mr Kavanagh applied for a further six-month adjournment of the inquest as the circumstances of Mr Grimes’ death are still under consideration by the DPP.

Dr Keane granted the application but asked the HSA to return to the coroner’s court sooner if there was any update.

“If word comes back quicker, we will not delay,” Mr Kavanagh promised.

At a previous sitting of the inquest, Ms Ryan gave evidence of being alerted to an accident involving her son while she was working in a salon.

Ms Ryan told the coroner that she was informed that emergency crews were on the way to assist her son as he was “too weak to move.”

The inquest heard how paramedics worked on the injured teenager for over an hour in an attempt to resuscitate him.

The results of a postmortem showed that Mr Grimes died as a result of multiple traumatic crush injuries.

The inquest was adjourned to June 4th 2026, for a further update from the HSA.