Criminal investigation into death of plumber while working in Dublin house ongoing, inquest hears

Aidan Dunne (55), a married father of three, from the Limekiln area of Walkinstown, Dublin 12 suffered fatal injuries in a workplace accident at a property on Boot Road, Clondalkin on October 5, 2023

An inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, Edward Wall, told a sitting of Dublin District Coroner's Court on Thursday, that further time was needed by the HSA to complete its investigation into Mr Dunne's death.

Mr Wall explained that the original inspector assigned to the case had since left the HSA and another inspector was now in charge of the investigation.

He applied to the coroner, Clare Keane, for a six-month adjournment of the inquest but added that the HSA was hopeful that it would not take that long to decide on whether a criminal prosecution should arise out of Mr Dunne's death or not.

Mr Wall noted that if the HSA investigation concluded a criminal prosecution was warranted that a file would need to be forwarded to the DPP for the actual decision to initiate a prosecution.

No details of the results of the postmortem were released during the short hearing which was attended by the deceased's wife, Linda Dunne and two of the couple's three sons, Adam and Mark.

However, it was reported at the time of his death that Mr Dunne was electrocuted during the course of working on the house.

Dr Keane granted the HSA's application and adjourned the case until May 8, 2025.

Mr Wall promised to notify the coroner before that date if there had been a decision made about the consideration of a criminal prosecution.

Garda Philip Shaw gave evidence of the deceased's body being identified by Mr Dunne's son, Adam, in a garage at the property in Clondalkin.

Offering her sympathy to Mr Dunne's family, Dr Keane observed that it was "an incredibly difficult time" for them.

Mr Dunne, who came originally from Santry, had his own business, Shanowen Heating and Plumbing.

A GoFundMe page established by fellow plumbers to help his family has raised over €15,500 to date.