A fatal house fire in Screggan, County Offaly has claimed a man’s (60s) life.
The blaze, which local fire services attended the scene of, occurred earlier this morning (Tuesday, March 15th, 2022).
Confirming the news to That’s Farming, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said:
“Tullamore Gardaí are investigating a fatal fire which occurred at a house in Screggan, Co. Offaly this morning, Tuesday, March 15th, 2022).”
“A man, aged in his early 60s, has been pronounced deceased. His body remains at the scene, and the state pathologist has been notified.”
“The fire was extinguished by local fire services. The Garda Technical Bureau will conduct an examination of the scene. No other persons were injured,” the spokesperson said.
Suspended sentence for 4-year-old farm accident victim’s uncle
Meanwhile, in other news, a judge has handed a suspended sentence to a farmer following the death of his 4-year-old nephew.
Brian Nutter, with an address at Tynedale Shippon, Newchurch-in-Pendle, Lancashire, appeared before Wigan Magistrates’ Court on Monday, March 7th, 2022.
The court heard that on July 8th, 2019, Harry Lee was riding on the cab footplate of a telescopic handler that Brian was operating at a farm in Newchurch-in-Pendle.
As the vehicle turned into a field, the child fell from the footplate and was fatally crushed beneath the wheels.
A Health and Safety Executive-led investigation found Nutter had “insufficient” measures in place to ensure children’s safety on-farm.
Prison sentence and fine
Nutter pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The judge handed him a 26-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months and a community order. This included 250 hours of unpaid work.
Furthermore, the judge ordered him to pay costs to the tune of £5,154.
Following the court case, Sarah Nutter, the mother of a four-year-old boy, who fell from a farm vehicle and was run over sustaining fatal injuries, has called for a change in attitude in agriculture.
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