Man pleads guilty to manslaughter over workplace accident

A 55-year-old man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a colleague who died in a workplace accident in Newry in 2022.

Walter Thomas Christopher Manley of Loanda Crescent, Newry, had been scheduled to go on trial for the manslaughter of Ian McCollum and for being an employee in breach of duty to others.

Ian McCollum's family had said they were at "breaking point" as the trial was expected to be postponed due to the ongoing barrister's strike.

However, on Monday morning at Newry Crown Court the accused was re-arraigned, pleading guilty to both charges.

A plea and sentence hearing is now scheduled to take place on 29 June but judge Paul Ramsey KC said this was tempered by the potential ongoing impacts of the strike.

"It is an extra burden to bear, but our hands are tied by the ongoing matter," he said.

The judge added that he hoped this case could be an exception to the ongoing impasse.

The strike action, which commenced in January, has meant that no Crown Court cases involving defendants who require legal aid can proceed.

Ian McCollum was 52 years old when he was fatally injured at McKinstry Biomass Ltd in the Carnbane Industrial Estate on 24 January, 2022.

It is understood he was injured by heavy machinery at the premises.

At the time the firm's directors described him as one of their "most respected drivers" and expressed their sympathy to his family.

Manley was later charged with manslaughter and being an employee who failed to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons.

He was released on ongoing bail ahead of the sentencing process.

In a statement Ian McCollum's widow Kathryn and son Aaron paid tribute to a beloved husband and father.

"We used to joke that he invented mindfulness," Aaron said.

"He'd go and sit in the garden and watch the sun rise and set. He was a farmer and he loved his animals."

Kathryn added that he was "happiest with the family unit".

"When we went on holiday it was to please us because his joy was family and farming," she said.

"He was in driving for the short term because of how farming is.

"The cruel irony is he was so particular. He'd have driven you to distraction by being so particular. He never took risks.

"The stress won't conclude until the end of proceedings. We need it to conclude."

At an earlier court hearing, McKinstry Biomass entered guilty pleas to three charges relating to health and safety and risk assessment shortcomings.

These will also be dealt with at the plea and sentence stage.