Liam Moloney

The injuries workers suffered included, coal workers pneumoconiosis, chronic bronchitis, chronic pulmonary disease, silicosis, industrial asthma, tinnitus, emphysema and vibration white finger. 

The inhalation from coal, graphite and carbon caused coal miners pneumoconiosis or black lung. Some of the largest working mines were in Castlecomer, Avoca, Galmoy, Lisheen, Ballingarry, Silvermines and Slieveardagh.

In many cases there were “multiple breaches” of statutory duties and “negligence” on the part of companies operating the mines that caused such injuries but many of these companies are no longer trading.

Speaking about the lack of a state sponsored compensation scheme Liam Moloney, the firm’s managing partner, said: “There should be an immediate redress scheme established by the State for the payment of fair, consistent and appropriate damages for injured miners and their families. The UK established a comprehensive compensation scheme for miners in 1999 to ensure justice for injured UK miners and we should do the same here.”

He added: “Many of these conditions were directly related to miner’s inhalation of coal dust. Under the Mines and Quarries Act 1965 the State was the licensor of all coal mines in Ireland. It specifically had inspectorate, policing and enforcement obligations to ensure that the Mines were being operated safely.

“In contentious business a solicitor shall not charge a fee based on a percentage of an award or a settlement sum recovered.”