Walter Manley Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Newry Workplace Death of Ian McCollum
Walter Thomas Christopher Manley, 55, of Loanda Crescent, Newry, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of colleague Ian McCollum, who died in a workplace accident in Newry in 2022. Manley also admitted to a charge of being an employee in breach of duty to others.
The guilty pleas were entered at Newry Crown Court on Monday morning, averting a trial that Mr McCollum's family had feared would be postponed due to the ongoing barristers' strike.
Ian McCollum, 52, sustained fatal injuries at McKinstry Biomass Ltd in the Carnbane Industrial Estate on 24 January 2022. It is understood he was injured by heavy machinery on the premises. Directors of the firm had previously expressed sympathy to his family, describing him as one of their "most respected drivers."
A plea and sentence hearing is now scheduled for 29 June. However, Judge Paul Ramsey KC noted that the date remains subject to the potential impact of the barristers' strike, which began in January and has halted Crown Court cases involving defendants requiring legal aid.
Mr McCollum's widow, Kathryn, and son, Aaron, paid tribute to a man who "never took risks." They described him as a devoted family man and farmer, stating his temporary role in driving was due to the financial realities of farming.
Separately, McKinstry Biomass previously entered guilty pleas to three charges concerning health and safety and risk assessment failures, which will also be addressed during the sentencing proceedings.
