Courts

Family of man who died while felling trees on stud farm settles action for €2m

Father of two died when branch of a tree fell on him as he worked on the Norelands Stud in Co Kilkenny

Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told that the 37-year-old worker had been asked to fell three trees on the 400-acre property. Photograph: iStock

Wed Dec 6 2023 - 14:48

The family of a man who died while felling trees on a leading stud farm has settled a High Court action for more than €2 million.

George Williams Jnr, a father of two, died when the branch of a tree fell on him as he worked on the Norelands Stud farm in Co Kilkenny.

Mr Williams’s widow, Louise Williams, of Danesfort, Co Kilkenny, sued the stud owner, Harry McCalmont, a well-known breeder, owner, and vendor of thoroughbred horses over the accident 13 years ago.

George Williams, who was a stud groom, lived with his family on the Norelands Stud farm at Stonyford, Co Kilkenny at the time.

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Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told that the 37-year-old worker had been asked to fell three trees on the 400-acre property.

Senior Counsel Robert Fitzpatrick SC, for Mrs Williams, said Mr Williams on September 6th, 2010, was directed to fell three trees on the stud farm and went with another worker. They felled one tree with a chainsaw. Counsel said they were trying to fell a second tree when the chainsaw broke down.

Another chainsaw was obtained but became jammed in a tree. A third chainsaw was supplied and the two men tried to fell the tree, but a bough broke off and fell on Mr Williams.

He died at the scene due to multiple traumatic injuries. Mr Williams’s daughters were aged seven and two years at the time.

In the proceedings, it was claimed there was a failure to provide Mr Williams with a safe system of work including training, and that he had been required to engage in felling mature trees in circumstances where he had no experience of forestry work.

It was further claimed there was a failure to conduct a risk assessment about the nature of the task Mr Williams was required to undertake and a failure to warn him of the dangers of felling mature trees.

It was also claimed there was a failure to employ adequately qualified tree surgeons to engage in the felling of mature or diseased timber.

It was further alleged there was a failure to provide approved protective equipment or protective clothing.

Mr Justice Coffey was told that liability was admitted in the case, and it had been before the court for assessment of damages only.

Noting the settlement and the division of the statutory mental distress solatium payment, Mr Justice Coffey conveyed his deepest sympathy to Ms Williams and the family over the tragic accident.

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