Mechanic Aidan died in explosion

A mechanic who was burning rubbish in an incinerator died after being hit in the head following an explosion.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded in the inquest into the death of Aidan Cummins (53), Carrig-on-Barrow.

Garda Robert Carthy said he received a call at 8.27 a.m. on April 8, 2017, saying a man had received head injuries in Carrig-on-Bannow. On arrival he met Joan Cummins who said her husband Aidan had been severally injured following an explosion near a man-made incinerator. The couple’s 14-yearold son Cathal had found his father lying on the ground and called her.

Mr Cummins was found about 4ft away from the incinerator and an aerosol can was located nearby.

The court heard that a number of people had heard a loud explosion around 7.10 a.m. but didn’t think anything of it as the ESB transformer sometimes can blow.

Margaret Whelan who was at the garage to get a light changed, said she tried to keep pressure on Mr Cummins’ wound and tried to keep his airways clear.

In a deposition read into the court by Inspector Mark Foley, Cathal Cummins said he had heard a loud bang earlier that morning but didn’t think anything of it. He had been due to go training with the county Under 14 team that morning and went to say goodbye to his father.

He checked the CCTV footage to see where he was and was looking at it in fast forward. He saw rubbish scattering and burning after his father had gone to the incinerator but didn’t see what had happened.

He went outside and saw his father on the ground and knew something was wrong so he called his mother.

Joan Cummins said the couple, who married in 2001, have three children. Aidan, she said, worked from home as a mechanic. Shortly after 8 a.m. she heard Cathal calling her saying Aidan was hurt.

Mr Cummins was rushed to hospital but died shortly after as a result of his injuries.

Pathologist Dr Rob Landers said cause of death was due to severe traumatic head injuries.

County coroner Dr Sean Nixon said the HSA had conducted an investigation and determined that the door of the large incinerator may have blown out and struck Mr Cummins or perhaps an aerosol canister had blown out of the incinerator and hit him.

He said that Mr Cummins would have been unconscious from the time of impact and had no awareness.

Dr Nixon recommended that the jury of six men return a verdict of accidental death which they did. Dr Nixon commended Cathal Cummins for both attending the inquest and for his deposition which he said was very thorough. He said the teenager had shown great foresight in checking the CCTV cameras.

He extended sympathy to the Cummins family on their very tragic loss and thanked them all for attending.

Inspector Mary Foley also extended sympathy to the family and commended Cathal for his bravery. The jury also offered its sympathies to the family.