A Cypriot shipping management company has been fined €200,000 after pleading guilty to a breach of workplace safety legislation following the death of a crew member aboard an Irish Ferries ship at Rosslare Europort in 2019.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) says Matrix Ship Management Ltd, of Limassol, Cyprus, was convicted and fined €200,000 on Thursday, 5 November 2026, by Judge Cormac Quinn at Wexford Circuit Court.
The company had pleaded guilty to a breach of safety, health and welfare at work legislation.
The case arose following a fatal work-related incident on 21 March 2019 at Rosslare Europort, Co Wexford, the HSA says.
Sergejs Lescenko, a crew member aboard the Irish Ferries vessel MV Isle of Inishmore, was fatally injured when he was crushed between two trailers during loading operations on Deck 3 of the vessel.
Matrix Ship Management Ltd had previously pleaded guilty to one breach of safety, health and welfare at work legislation relating to the provision of systems of work that are safe and without risk to health.
Judge Cormac Quinn imposed a fine of €200,000 for a breach of Section 8(2)(e) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, contrary to Section 77(9)(a).
HSA Assistant Chief Executive Officer Eibhlin O’Leary said: “This tragic incident demonstrates the serious consequences that can arise when risks associated with workplace transport are not adequately controlled.”
“Employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe systems of work are in place and effectively implemented to protect workers. Where vehicles and workers operate in close proximity, robust controls are essential to prevent serious injury and loss of life,” she said.
