Coleraine council fined £75,000 over Alan Devenney death

Alan Devenney was crushed to death under an 11-tonne industrial skip full of compacted waste at Loughanhill waste disposal depot.

The council has pleaded guilty to health and safety legislation breaches over Mr Devenney’s death.

A lawyer for the council admitted the tragedy could have been averted had the council picked up on a warning in 2008.

A statement was released by Mr Devenney’s following the hearing at Antrim Crown Court.

It said: “Alan Devenney’s wife Gayle and he extended family would like to thank the PSNI and the Health and Safety Executive for their thorough investigation into Alan’s accident.

“The family welcome the recommendations of the court who stated that this was an avoidable tragedy had appropriate measures been in place. It was harrowing for the family to hear that by the Council’s own admission that this accident might not have happened if they had followed Health & Safety guidance.

“The family acknowledge the Council have addressed the criminal charges in a forthright manner and feel that the fine His Honour has imposed is fair and reasonable in all the circumstances.

“Over two years have passed since Alan’s accident and yet the devastating loss is still keenly felt by all the family and in particular Mrs Devenney and her two children.

“We are therefore delighted that this aspect of the case is at a close.”