Warrenpoint Harbour Authority has been ordered to stand trial accused of corporate manslaughter as well as health and safety failings over a man’s death more than five years ago.
Chief executive David Holmes appeared at Newry Magistrates Court and confirmed he had received the papers and statements in relation to the case.
The Harbour Authority, with an address at The Docks in Warrenpoint, is charged with three offences arising from the death of Kevin McGeough on July 18 2019 including corporate manslaughter, failing to provide and maintain a safe system of work and failing to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of employees.
The background facts have not yet been opened but it was reported at the time that married father of three Mr McGeough, a man in his fifties from Rostrevor, was allegedly crushed by a loading shovel.
In court on Wednesday, a prosecuting lawyer submitted there was a prima facie case against the defendant company which was conceded by their solicitor.
Freeing the chief executive on £1,000 bail, District Judge Eamon King returned the case to Newry Crown Court for trial and scheduled the arraignment to be heard on November 7.