Stryker charged over fatal Cork plant explosion

Medical devices company Stryker has been charged over alleged breaches of health and safety regulations following a fatal incident at its plant in Carrigtwohill, County Cork, the Irish Examiner and the Irish Times reported. Stryker Ireland Ltd was summonsed to appear at Midleton District Court on Thursday after a Health and Safety Authority investigation into the death of John Murphy. [1][2]

According to the Irish Examiner, Mr Murphy was a 41-year-old contractor and father of three from Watergrasshill, County Cork. He suffered burns to 75 percent of his body during an explosion on April 18, 2023, while carrying out work on the roof of the plant. [1]

The Irish Examiner reported that Mr Murphy managed to descend from the roof following the explosion but became unresponsive shortly afterwards. He died almost two months later at Saint James' Hospital in Dublin on June 9, 2023, the Irish Examiner said. [1]

The Irish Times noted that the charges follow a completed investigation by the Health and Safety Authority into the fatal industrial event at the east Cork facility. [2]