Seeking the Truth: A Father's Quest for Justice

The father of a young man who was killed duringStorm Alihas spoken of his family's pain as they continue to seek answers surrounding their son's death.

Matthew Campbell's Tragic Death
The 200-year-old beech tree fell on 24-year-old Matthew while he was working near to the entrance of the forest park which was under the management and control of the Council. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, and Lagan Construction Limited, Belfastwere fined £20,000 and £30,000 respectivelyfor breaches of health and safety legislation at Newry Crown Court last year. Despite this, the family still has unanswered questions and looks to an inquest for closure.

The Call for an Inquest
Mark Campbell expressed the family's desire for an inquest to reveal the mishandling of his son's death and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The denial of the Coroner's Office to proceed with an inquest has led the family to start an online petition to push for further investigation.

Continuing Grief and Memories
Mark Campbell continues to remember his son daily, reflecting on the life that was taken too soon. Matthew's untimely passing has left a lasting impact on the family, with their pursuit for justice serving as a reminder of the need to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Coroner's Decision
The Coroner's Office highlighted that the criminal proceedings concluded in late March 2024. Despite the Judge's remarks on procedural changes post-Matthew's death, the Coroner found that an inquest was unnecessary as the statutory questions had been adequately addressed during the criminal trial.