NI roofing firm director pleads guilty on behalf of company to manslaughter of employee Hugh Thomas Jack – Belfast Telegraph

The director of a Co Antrim roofing company has pleaded guilty on behalf of the firm to the corporate manslaughter of one of their employees Hugh Thomas Jack four years ago.

he 59-year-old father-of-five died following the accident at premises where he was working in Carryduff on the outskirts of Belfast on December 3, 2016.

Following the guilty plea by Stephen Heaney on behalf of H&M Engineering and Roofing, a charge directly accusing him of the unlawful killing of was withdrawn and 'allowed to remain on the books'.

While no details surrounding the death of the Scotsman were given during the short hearing before Downpatrick Crown Court, defence QC Frank O'Donoghue apologised on behalf of Mr Heaney and the Ballymena Company.

Mr O'Donoghue said the 52-year-old company director wished him to publically apologise and acknowledge the death of Mr Jack which obviously had been very traumatic for his immediate and surrounding family.

Counsel added that Mr Heaney and Mr Jack had worked closely together for many years and his death has also obviously significantly impacted on his client who wanted at this stage to express his regret and understanding of the seriousness of the matter.

In addition to the corporate manslaughter charge Mr Heaney pleaded on behalf of H&M Engineering and Roofing Specialists Ltd of Hillview House, Hillview Street, Ballymena, to five breaches in Health and Safety Regulations by the firm.

Judge Geoffrey Miller QC, sitting in Belfast, who asked for written submissions and other reports on the case, adjourned sentencing until next month.

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NI roofing firm director pleads guilty on behalf of company to manslaughter of employee Hugh Thomas Jack - Belfast Telegraph