No role for DCC at tragicequestrian site

It transpires the Department was originally notified of the fatal accident on Saturday, August 18, by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) who believed that Derry City Council was the appropriate health and safety enforcing authority.

The local authority then made contact with the PSNI for further details. And on Monday, August 20, the Senior Environemntal Health Officer (Health & Safety) met with the Chairman and several committee members of the Eglinton Equestrian Club.

At that meeting it was established that the Club is run as a private sporting club with no employment and a written statement to this effect was subsequently provided.

According to a council report: “Following legal advice and contact with other enforcement agencies it was concluded that as there was no work activity (under the definition of the Health & Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978, the Council did not have a health and safety enforcement role.

“Eglinton Equestrian Club, HSENI and the PSNI have been informed of his outcome.

“This department would like to take the opportunity to pass on our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Hannah Wylie.”