Independent inspection of lift in which toddler died to take place in Galway

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is to facilitate an independent inspection of the lift in which a three-year-old boy died in Galway last week.

An engineer engaged by the family of Solomon Soremekun (3), who died from crush injuries sustained in the lift shaft of a city centre office building, will conduct the inspection.

Speaking on behalf of the boy’s mother, Omolara Alibi, solicitor Gerard O’Donnell said this had been agreed at a meeting with HSA investigators this week, where he said the authority “extended its condolences and pledged to use its resources to ensure this could never happen again”.

Investigation
Ms Alibi has said she hopes the investigation will be made public. This was echoed by the father of her son, Dublin-based accountant Ade Soremekun, in a statement yesterday.

The lift in the three-storey Hynes building office complex in St Augustine Street has been sealed off, as both the HSA and An Garda continue their inquiries into the cause of the fatality.

Ms Alibi, a nurse who had arrived in Galway in late December, was visiting the Department of Social Protection with her four children aged between seven years and two months old, when her son became trapped in the elevator.

Mr Soremekun, who is Nigerian-born and is an Irish citizen, said he could not understand how his son could have died in such circumstances.

Commiserations
In a statement issued through his solicitor, Kevin O'Gorman, yesterday, Mr Soremekun thanked all those who had expressed commiserations, particularly the Nigerian ambassador to Ireland Felix Y Pwol, the mayor of Galway Cllr Pádraig Conneely, and "the people of Galway" for their support at his son's burial service last Saturday.

He also thanked the Garda for their help, and the pastors of several churches in Galway for their support.

Bad dream
"I am praying to God and asking him to help me cope with this sadness,which feels like a bad dream, but I know that it is a reality that I will have to deal with to the best of my ability each and every day of my life," he said.

“I hope that in time I will find out what actually happened to my son, as I just do not understand how my three- year-old boy could die in such circumstances,” he added.