Testing firm fined €25k over Offaly crash bus
A vehicle testing firm has been fined €25,000 after being convicted of breaching health and safety law relating to the testing of a school bus that was involved in a fatal crash seven years ago.
However a stay was put on payment of the fine pending an appeal by the testing firm, O'Reilly Commercials Ltd.
The company failed to note the modified rear suspension on the bus prior to the crash which had earlier been the subject of a recall.
It was agreed by the prosecution that this offence was not the cause of the crash and the company could not be blamed for the fatality.
The bus went out of control on a bog road just outside Clara in Co Offaly on April 4, 2006 after the rear drive axle came off.
A 15-year-old boy died and a number of children were injured.
