A Cork man aged 21 died when an evaporator containing a mixture of sugar and water at a temperature of more than 120 degrees exploded at the Irish Sugar factory in Carlow. Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday that Mr Kieran Cullinane, of Timoleague, Clon akilty, Co Cork, had been working for the company for three months when the accident happened. He had just graduated from college. It was his first job.
The incident, on October 5th, is the subject of High Court proceedings against the company, Mr Eugene Gleeson, counsel for Irish Sugar, told the inquest.
Mr Cullinane was treated in the company's dispensary immediately after the accident. He was transferred by ambulance to St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny and then to the burns unit at St James's Hospital in Dublin.
He had suffered burns to 78 per cent of his body and died of multiple organ failure and respiratory infections from inhalation injuries on October 19th, the inquest heard.
Mr Denis O'Dwyer, a former shift manager for Irish Sugar, attributed the explosion of the tank to a rupture in a weld at the top of the vessel. The material inside was under constant pressure but was monitored 24 hours a day. All temperatures and pressures were in line with normal practice on that day, he said.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
In a statement to the inquest, Irish Sugar said it was "deeply concerned" and regretted the accident. The company extended its deepest sympathies to Mr Cullinane's family and his girlfriend.
"Irish Sugar takes compliance with health and safety standards and regulations very seriously," the statement read. "The commitment to apply high standards has been reinforced across all areas following October's tragic accident."