A roadworks contractor was fined €1.2 million after pleading guilty to health and safety breaches linked to a crash that killed a father and his two children in County Donegal in August 2020.
Whitemountain Quarries Limited, now part of Breedon Group, admitted failing to manage traffic safely during resurfacing work on the R238 at Quigley's Point. John Mullan, 49, his stepson Tomás, 14, and daughter Amelia, 6, died when their car left the road and plunged into Lough Foyle during Storm Ellen. The court heard the newly laid surface was at least 5 cm higher than the shoulder, with no centre markings, no visible cones, and very low friction on the northbound lane. Investigators found speed and vehicle condition were not factors.
Judge Roderick Maguire set a headline penalty of €1.45 million before mitigation. Breedon Ireland's chief executive Declan Carr apologised to the family. The company was given until 1 November to pay.