Waterways Ireland is facing legal repercussions after a homeless individual suffered paralytic injuries as his tent was removed by a digger from the Grand Canal in Dublin’s shores. Elias Adane, a man in his thirties and native to Eritrea, encountered life-altering harm during the January 14th, 2020 incident which took place along a canal section where several homeless people, who had been issued eviction notices, had erected their tents.
Mr Adane, a solitary migrant to Ireland with a history of homelessness, had been residing in a tent at Wilton Terrace close to the Leeson Street Bridge for numerous months. Following the incident, he was admitted to St Vincent’s hospital for several weeks before being transferred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital until his new living arrangements could be organised.
The incident was examined by The Health and Safety Authority who subsequently submitted a report to the Director of Public Prosecution. The director sanctioned charges against Waterways Ireland and its employee, Jennifer Blackford, residing at Oldcourt Lawn, Firhouse, Dublin 24.
The charges filed, referencing the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, allege inadequacy in confirming the occupancy of Mr Adane’s tent prior to its removal with a mechanical grabbing tool.
Dublin District Court recorded its first hearing of the case on Monday with Judge Anthony Halpin who conceded to a government lawyer’s plea to continue the proceedings on Tuesday where evidence will be presented to the defendants.
Waterways Ireland, with its headquarters on Sligo Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, is a cross-border organisation entrusted with the management and upkeep of inland water channels mainly for leisure activities. The charges insinuate negligent risk exposure to “people’s safety, health or welfare” and lack of implementation of a “safe work system concerning tent lifting by use of a mechanical grab which included verifying that the tent was vacant before eviction”. The subsequent charge argues Mr Adane endured personal harm due to these shortfalls.
Ms Blackford is confronted with a solitary allegation of neglecting to fulfil an obligation under health and safety regulations. Neither defendant has yet revealed their intended response to the charges.