Three lifeguards accused of breaching their duties as employees at Armagh’s Orchard Leisure Centre five years ago are to face Crown Court proceedings.
William Holden, (25), of Unshinagh Lane, Portadown, and James Monaghan, (24), of Folly Lane, Armagh, appeared before Newry Magistrates’ Court on Monday for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry (PE) – the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
Also appearing was Cathal Peter Forrest-McVeigh, (33), of Dunamony Road, Dungannon.
The three men are charged with being employees who failed to take ‘reasonable care for the health and safety of other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.’
The offences are alleged to have occurred on April 7, 2017.
Following an incident in the swimming pool at the Orchard Leisure centre in Armagh on that date, 20-year-old Christopher Rogers passed away in hospital.
The defendants made no objection to the holding of a preliminary enquiry.
The prosecution submitted that based on the papers before the court there was a prima facie case to answer.
The defence made no contrary submissions.
Deputy District Judge Kennedy, satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer, released the defendants on their own bail of £500 and adjourned the case to be heard before Newry Crown Court on a date to be fixed.
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