Family says serious questions remain unanswered even after all this time

THE FAMILY of Mark O’Shaughnessy strongly criticised Wicklow County Council, alleging that it contributed to ‘ the unacceptable risks’ faced by the deceased firemen.

They also wondered what action, if any, has been taken against Council personnel who were in positions of responsbility at the time.

‘ Ultimately, almost seven years have passed since that fateful day where ongoing failures within Wicklow Fire Service finally came to national attention in the most horrific way. We would like to ask the county manager Eddie Sheehy, the following questions: Who does he believe had responsibility for the health and safety breaches experienced by Brian and Mark? Have those individuals ever been disciplined or removed from their roles?’ asked Mark’s partner, Hazel O’Brien, in a statement released on behalf of the family.

‘We have also been entirely disgusted with the response of Wicklow County Council’s councillors to issues raised throughout the inquest,’ Ms O’Brien continued.

She said that Cllr. John Brady of Sinn Féin was the only councillor to attend the inquest when it resumed on May 1. She was annoyed that other councillors did not also attend.

‘ This is a direct insult to myself and the two families, to Brian and Mark, and most significantly to the people of Wicklow whose interests they purport to represent.

The family is continuing to request certain changes to the Irish Fire Service. These are the implementation of a National Fire Authority to create and oversee national standards and a full time fire service for the town of Bray and its hinterland, as is the case in other urban towns of similar population and circumstance.

‘It hurts me very greatly that after almost seven years of patience through gruelling legal proceedings, and fighting at a local and national level, we will probably be unsuccessful in achieving those aims due to political ignorance and apathy at every level,’ said Hazel.

‘We would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts – the Gardai, the HSA, the Coroner, registrar, and jury of this inquest, our legal teams, as well as those firefighters who attempted so bravely to rescue Mark and Brian that day. They have been a constant reminder to us of all that is good about this country in the face of so much that is rotten.’