John Winton: NI council admits responsibility over bin lorry death

A council has admitted responsibility in connection to the death of an employee who was struck by a bin lorry.

John Winton, 51, who was from the Limavady area, died after the incident in Mount Eden in November 2018.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council was to go on trial at Antrim Crown Court on Wednesday facing three health and safety offences.

A lawyer representing the council asked for their client to be re-arraigned on a single count.

Acting on behalf of the council, chief executive David Jackson formally entered a guilty plea of failing to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of an employee.

Following the admission, it was decided by the court that two further offences be "left on the books".

'Apologise publicly'

Mr Winton had also worked as a firefighter at Limavady Fire Station.

After Mr Jackson made the admission of guilt to the count on behalf of the council, the lawyer told the judge that the council "wish to apologise publicly for the circumstances that led to this tragic death".

He emphasised there were "a number of complex issues in this case" but believed the guilty plea was a welcome development for Mr Winton's family, albeit, he said, they "may find it somewhat belated".

The father-of-two's family was in attendance in court on Wednesday.

Adjourning the case to May, the judge assured the family of Mr Winton that she hoped to have the case completed and concluded within the month.