Way cleared for Council to publish explosion report

The way has been cleared for the publication of a report into an explosion which ripped through City Hall more than four years ago, after the settlement of a legal action for personal injuries by a Council employee.

The City Council learned from the Galway City Tribune this week that the High Court action has been settled, and the employee received a payment in the region of €40,000.

The explosion – understood to have been caused by a boiler in the building – caused an estimated €400,000 in damage.

A spokesperson for the Council said this week that the local authority has not been made aware of any settlement by its insurers, but confirmed that the Chief Executive will present a report on the investigation into the explosion once legal matters are settled.

The explosion occurred on the morning of June 11, 2010 shortly before most staff arrived for work, and shattered windows as well as causing extensive damage to the offices on the ground floor of City Hall.

It also travelled up stairwells and caused damage to the upper floor of the building.

At the time, Council officials hailed it as a miracle that nobody was killed or seriously injured in the incident, which took place at around 7.50am.

One worker took a personal injuries action against the Council and was awarded almost €40,000.

“As the Chief Executive did indicate, subject to [legal] issues being dealt with, he will revert to councillors with a report on all issues around the incident,” the Council spokesperson said.

Two years ago, the Director of Public Prosecutions decided not to prosecute in relation to the case, following the submission of a report by the Health & Safety Authority to the DPP’s office.