Camden News: 'Barney' Kennedy | health and safety legislation | Ralph Kennedy Snr | Mayford estate | September 2006

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Camden News - by TOM FOOT
Published: 2 April 2009

‘Barney’ Kennedy with his children

Don’t risk another life, says father

THE father of the electrocuted scaffolder Ralph Kennedy believes a fine against Camden Council should not be so high that it puts other lives at risk.
An Old Bailey judge fined the Town Hall £40,000 last week after it pleaded guilty to failures in health and safety legislation in relation to Mr Kennedy’s death.
The faulty lamp on the Mayford estate had not been properly checked before the father of three – best known as “Barney” – touched it in September 2006.
In a letter to the New Journal, his father, Ralph Kennedy Snr, who lives in Manchester, said: “No one can put into words or feelings the loss I feel burying my son aged 24.
“I am sure a lot of people, myself included, wish the fine was higher but I must also say not at the cost of another life.
“No amount of money is going to bring my son back but also I didn’t want some other parents in a couple of years to be doing the same. I would like now for my son to rest in peace.”
Camden apologised for the failures after last week’s hearing.
The prosecution was brought after an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive.

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