AN investigation into the deaths of two firemen during a blaze at a disused factory in Co Wicklow last year has found that they did not have access to proper equipment, training and resources.

Experts consulted by gardai and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) as part of the inquiry have called into doubt the procedures adopted by Wicklow Fire Service up to September 2007.

Gardai are investigating whether certain fire service personnel should be prosecuted for reckless endangerment. The HSA is examining whether the fire service breached safety laws.

A garda inquiry has established that insufficient firemen were on standby at crucial times to offer an effective firefighting service to the Bray area. On the day the firefighters died, a second fire tender assigned to Bray station could not be dispatched to the scene of the factory blaze for over 20 minutes as no driver was available. A second team of firefighters had to drive a hydraulic- platform vehicle to the scene instead.

Certain types of equipment used by the firefighters at Bray were unsuitable for their needs. The extinguishing foam used in the fire tender dispatched to the blaze was not suitable for the vehicle and its fire extinguishing system, which may have hampered the containment of the fire.

The equipment used by the firefighters on the day has been subjected to numerous technical tests, the results of which may be used as evidence to press charges.

Detectives have also uncovered issues relating to the qualifications of Wicklow fire service personnel, which they believe are relevant to the inquiry. Gardai have established that some firefighters at Bray station were not given adequate training in the use of new equipment and firefighting techniques, and this may have contributed to the deaths and put the lives of other firefighters at risk.

The gardai, HSA and Wicklow county council are running separate investigations into the deaths of Mark O’Shaughnessy, 26, and his colleague Brian Murray, 46.

Murray, a father of 15, had repeatedly asked for better equipment to be provided at Bray station, and for the response procedures to be changed. He was also concerned about the continued use of a second-hand hydraulic platform that often had to be jump-started.

Detectives have examined letters and reports he wrote prior to his death. One source described the correspondence as “prophetic” insofar as Murray had warned that a member of the fire service would be killed if his requests for more staff and training were not met. Murray had even organised industrial action by fire service personnel at Bray station to highlight his fears.

The cause of death has not been announced by gardai for operational reasons, but the firefighters did not die because a roof collapsed on them, as was reported.

A member of the Wicklow Fire Service was arrested by the garda investigation team last month and questioned about the suitability of equipment made available to Murray and O’Shaughnessy. Other arrests are expected.

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