A 53-year-old Co Down man has been jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of a work colleague who was struck and killed by a telehandler in Newry.

Walter Manley, from Newry, also received a concurrent 12-month sentence for breaching health and safety legislation at the McKinstry Biomass plant on the Carnbane Business Park, where Ian McCollum, 52, died on 24 January 2022.

The court heard that Mr Manley was operating the vehicle with the loading bucket raised, obscuring his forward view. He drove over Mr McCollum, who was outside his lorry delivering a load. Believing he had struck a piece of wood, Mr Manley reversed without checking his mirrors or camera, driving over the victim a second time.

Judge Paul Ramsey described the incident as a catastrophic error of judgment during what he called a difficult and heartbreaking case. He said the tragedy had led to the loss of a husband and father.

The victim’s widow, Kathryn McCollum, said the family had been brought to breaking point by delays in the case. She expressed anger at the company’s public statements about family values while feeling that the family had been disregarded.

Ian McCollum’s son, Aaron, said in a statement that his father’s death was entirely avoidable and that the seriousness of the sentence reflected that. The family described Mr McCollum as a devoted and thoughtful man whose life centered on his family and farming.

McKinstry Biomass Ltd pleaded guilty to related health and safety offences and was fined £120,000. The company admitted failing to ensure the safety of employees and others, and not conducting a suitable risk assessment.

A senior prosecutor from the Public Prosecution Service said the case highlighted the vital importance of following health and safety law. Employers must make safety a top priority, and when they fail, the PPS will work with enforcement bodies to build a robust case for prosecution.