Family of Laois man killed on family farm claim time taken to investigate his death is "extremely distressing"
Ronan Culleton from Mountmellick was killed in an accident on a farm almost three years ago
RELATIVES of a Laois man killed in an accident on a family farm almost three years ago have claimed the length of time it is taking for an investigation into his death to be completed is “extremely distressing.” Ronan Culleton (43), a married father of three and engineer from Cloonagh, Mountmellick, Co Laois, died in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin on December 28, 2022 where he had been transported by air ambulance following an incident on his father’s farm three weeks earlier.
Mr Culleton suffered traumatic head injuries in an accident which was classified as a workplace fatality.
His sister, Maria, told a sitting of Dublin District Coroner’s Court that waiting to find out what was happening in an investigation being conducted by the Health and Safety Authority into her brother’s death was “extremely distressing” for his family.
She claimed the length of time was particularly hard for her parents because the fatal incident was on the family farm as well as whether there would be any related prosecution.
Ms Culleton made her comments after an inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, Trevor Ryan-Nesbitt, had applied for a six-month adjournment of the inquest.
Mr Ryan-Nesbitt told the coroner, Aisling Gannon, that the investigation into Mr Culleton’s death was “in its final stages.” He also said the HSA would revert back sooner to Ms Gannon if they received directions from the DPP over any potential criminal prosecution.
Fighting back tears, Ms Culleton, who attended the brief hearing via videolink, said her family did not know what was happening and asked if the case could be expedited by only allowing for a three-month adjournment.
The coroner replied that she completely supported the family’s application.
Ms Gannon also requested the HSA to provide her and the Culleton family in advance of the next hearing date with a detailed written report of0 the investigation it has undertaken to date.
The coroner said the HSA should also refer to the prospects of any prosecution.
Ms Gannon remarked that she believed her ruling was “very reasonable.” She asked that “some understanding” should be offered to the Culleton family in terms of the time of year if there were going to be significant updates or details in advance of Christmas.
Ms Gannon also requested for some sensitivity to be shown to the parents of the deceased and for any communications to be provided “with the least stress possible.” The coroner adjourned the inquest to February 1, 2026 for a further update on the progress of the HSA investigation.
