The investigation into the death of a UCC employee had been described as “complex” by the coroner involved in the inquiry.
In March 2013, Frank McGrath (58) was involved in a cherry picker accident, the details of which have not been disclosed to the public. As a result of the “blunt force trauma” that he sustained, he died shortly after the incident, despite medical attention he received from staff and paramedics.
Frank had been a member of the governing body at University College Cork at the time of the accident, and was in employment at the university for twenty-seven years. Frank-who worked in the maintenance and engineering section-had been attending to the lighting systems on the university campus when the accident occurred.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) launched an investigation into the fatal accident under the Safety and Welfare at Work Act. The investigation was lead by HSA Inspector Michael O’Flynn. The coroner involved with the investigation-Dr Myra Cullinane-said that the inquiry into the death was “complex”, and would take some time to complete.
Dr Cullinane adjourned the hearing into Frank´s fatal accident on a cherry picker until 3rd April.
A spokesperson on behalf of UCC said “Frank McGrath joined UCC in 1986 and was immensely popular among all staff. He was elected on two occasions to membership of the governing body, where he shared his wisdom, pragmatism and above all his loyalty to and pride in UCC. UCC is deeply saddened by the accident and (again) wishes to extend its sincere sympathy to his family and colleagues.”