Stryker Ireland faces multiple health-safety charges after contractor’s fatal burn incident
Stryker Ireland Ltd was summoned to Midleton District Court on seven charges relating to health-safety breaches after John Murphy died from severe burns sustained while working at the company’s Carrigtwohill plant.
John Murphy, a 41-year-old father of three, suffered third-degree burns covering 75 % of his body while performing roof work for facilities manager Apleona at Stryker’s Carrigtwohill plant on 18 April 2023. After being evacuated, he was taken to Cork University Hospital and later transferred to the burns unit at St James’s Hospital in Dublin, where he died on 9 June 2023. Following an HSA inquiry, Stryker Ireland Ltd faced seven summonses alleging breaches of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, including failure to prevent titanium particles from entering the roof-level HVAC system and to assess the risk of an explosive atmosphere.
The DPP has moved the case to the Circuit Court and indicated a possible guilty plea could be entered. Stryker’s counsel sought discovery of the DPP file, and the court adjourned the matter to 3 December for evidence preparation.
Why it matters
The case highlights corporate responsibility for contractor safety and may set precedent for workplace health-safety enforcement in Ireland.
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