Menu
21/03/2014
Coleraine Man Jailed Over CO Poisoning
A Coleraine man has been sentenced to two years in jail and fined £19k after two 18-year-old friends died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a holiday apartment in Castlerock in August 2010.
George Brown, 52, from Ballygawley Road in Aghadowey, pleaded guilty in January to unlawfully killing Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson, as well as to 19 charges of health and safety failures.
Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson died of carbon monoxide poisoning after being overcome by carbon monoxide fumes. Another friend, Matthew Gaw, was seriously injured.
The three friends had been celebrating after completing their A levels.
It was later found that the flue in a new gas boiler fitted by Mr Brown's company became dislodged and filled the property with the poisonous gas.
Commenting on the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Shields said: "Two young men, Aaron and Neil, who had their whole lives in front of them, died tragically from carbon monoxide poisoning in a flat, in Castlerock, in August 2010.
"While the judge in giving the sentence today acknowledged all of the circumstances surrounding the incident; no sentence will ever bring Aaron or Neil back. It is an extremely difficult day for Aaron and Neil’s families and I would like to thank them for their relentless bravery and the unequivocal support that they gave to all the various stages of this extensive investigation.
"The Police Service of Northern Ireland worked extremely closely with the Health and Safety Executive NI’s Gas Safety Inspection team, its Major Investigations Team and its Scientific Services Unit throughout and it was only through the combined efforts of everyone that this case was brought before the courts.
"The families of Aaron and Neil have and continue to, highlight the issue of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is an issue that all households should be aware of and I would remind service providers who work with installing heating systems or maintaining heating systems of the legal requirements and responsibilities that govern this area of business."
Louis Burns of the Health and Safety Executive said: "The tragic and untimely deaths of Neil and Aaron from carbon monoxide poisoning serve as a potent reminder of the dangers this deadly gas poses.
"Our deepest sympathies remain with the family and friends of Aaron and Neil at this very difficult time. Our thoughts are also with Mathew Gaw who was seriously injured in this terrible incident."
"Today’s sentencing is the culmination of one of the biggest investigations, and at times complex, ever undertaken by HSENI and we’d like to thank our colleagues in the PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Department for their support."
(IT/MH)
George Brown, 52, from Ballygawley Road in Aghadowey, pleaded guilty in January to unlawfully killing Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson, as well as to 19 charges of health and safety failures.
Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson died of carbon monoxide poisoning after being overcome by carbon monoxide fumes. Another friend, Matthew Gaw, was seriously injured.
The three friends had been celebrating after completing their A levels.
It was later found that the flue in a new gas boiler fitted by Mr Brown's company became dislodged and filled the property with the poisonous gas.
Commenting on the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Shields said: "Two young men, Aaron and Neil, who had their whole lives in front of them, died tragically from carbon monoxide poisoning in a flat, in Castlerock, in August 2010.
"While the judge in giving the sentence today acknowledged all of the circumstances surrounding the incident; no sentence will ever bring Aaron or Neil back. It is an extremely difficult day for Aaron and Neil’s families and I would like to thank them for their relentless bravery and the unequivocal support that they gave to all the various stages of this extensive investigation.
"The Police Service of Northern Ireland worked extremely closely with the Health and Safety Executive NI’s Gas Safety Inspection team, its Major Investigations Team and its Scientific Services Unit throughout and it was only through the combined efforts of everyone that this case was brought before the courts.
"The families of Aaron and Neil have and continue to, highlight the issue of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is an issue that all households should be aware of and I would remind service providers who work with installing heating systems or maintaining heating systems of the legal requirements and responsibilities that govern this area of business."
Louis Burns of the Health and Safety Executive said: "The tragic and untimely deaths of Neil and Aaron from carbon monoxide poisoning serve as a potent reminder of the dangers this deadly gas poses.
"Our deepest sympathies remain with the family and friends of Aaron and Neil at this very difficult time. Our thoughts are also with Mathew Gaw who was seriously injured in this terrible incident."
"Today’s sentencing is the culmination of one of the biggest investigations, and at times complex, ever undertaken by HSENI and we’d like to thank our colleagues in the PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Department for their support."
(IT/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 October 2012
Carbon Monoxide Alarms Now A Legal Requirement
Carbon monoxide alarms are now a legal requirement for all new homes in Northern Ireland. The law follows the deaths of two teenagers from carbon monoxide poising at a holiday home in County L’Derry in August 2010. 18-year-old Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson died in an apartment near Coleraine.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms Now A Legal Requirement
Carbon monoxide alarms are now a legal requirement for all new homes in Northern Ireland. The law follows the deaths of two teenagers from carbon monoxide poising at a holiday home in County L’Derry in August 2010. 18-year-old Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson died in an apartment near Coleraine.
17 February 2011
Gas Death Mums Make Warning Movie
The mothers of two teenagers in Northern Ireland who died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning last summer have made a film with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents NI to raise awareness of the 'silent killer' and how future tragedies can be prevented.
Gas Death Mums Make Warning Movie
The mothers of two teenagers in Northern Ireland who died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning last summer have made a film with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents NI to raise awareness of the 'silent killer' and how future tragedies can be prevented.
29 January 2014
Gas Fitter Admits Manslaughter Of Teenagers
A gas fitter from Londonderry has pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of two teenagers by carbon monoxide poisoning. George Brown, who is from Aghadowey, had initially pleased not guilty to the charge of manslaughter.
Gas Fitter Admits Manslaughter Of Teenagers
A gas fitter from Londonderry has pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of two teenagers by carbon monoxide poisoning. George Brown, who is from Aghadowey, had initially pleased not guilty to the charge of manslaughter.
12 May 2009
Cooker Fault Killed Elderly Belfast Woman, Says Coroner
A domestic tragedy was recalled this week when a coroner found that a 91-year-old woman died from carbon monoxide poisoning - after closing the door on the grill of her gas cooker while it was in operation.
Cooker Fault Killed Elderly Belfast Woman, Says Coroner
A domestic tragedy was recalled this week when a coroner found that a 91-year-old woman died from carbon monoxide poisoning - after closing the door on the grill of her gas cooker while it was in operation.
18 October 2010
User Guide Recalls Gas Tragedy
A double tragedy in Co Londonderry last summer has been recalled with the launch of a new guide to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. NI's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride has commended the guide, Carbon Monoxide: Are You at Risk? to both domestic users and the utilities sector of the construction industry.
User Guide Recalls Gas Tragedy
A double tragedy in Co Londonderry last summer has been recalled with the launch of a new guide to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. NI's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride has commended the guide, Carbon Monoxide: Are You at Risk? to both domestic users and the utilities sector of the construction industry.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
