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Friday 19, November, 2004, 12:30-18:30, (16:00-17:00, Q&A) No.3 CR Saturday 20, November, 2004, 09:30-18:30, (16:00-17:00, Q&A) No.3 CR Sunday 21, November, 2004, 09:30-12:30, No.3 CR Poster Sessions Corrinne Heaney Justice for Asbestos Victims Northern Ireland, UK The widespread use of asbestos in industries such as shipbuilding, insulation engineering, construction and so on, has left a legacy of suffering, illness and death. Although no longer in use, the damning after-effects of this deadly material can be seen quite markedly in Northern Ireland today. Those who are affected most by asbestos related illnesses are those who were involved in shipbuilding, (Harland and Wolfe), and construction for example, in power stations and factories. My grandfather Robert (Bob) had worked in Portishead Power Station, during the 1950s and 1960s. He was an insulation supervisor and worked under various companies including William Kenyon and Cape Asbestos Contracts. He died of peritoneal mesothelioma on 15th August 1978. My uncle Eddie also went to England to work He worked as an apprentice thermal insulation engineer. Throughout the years he also worked for Cape Asbestos Contracts. He died in June 1978 from peritoneal mesothelioma. My uncle Denis worked for Cape Asbestos in insulation projects in Derry. It is likely that he suffered asbestos exposure in Coolkeeragh Power Station. He died of asbestos related lung cancer on 14th of July 1994. My father, Tom went at the age of 15 to work in Portishead Power station, with his brother, Eddie. He too worked as apprentice. He became a thermal insulation engineer and worked with several employers including, Cape Asbestos, Turner and Newall, Cork Insulation and he also worked in Coolkeeragh Power Station in Derry. After having watched his father and two brothers die of diseases caused by asbestos, he too became ill. In November, 1999, he was diagnosed as having pleural mesothelioma. He died on 21st August, 2000. This is just one example, out of many of those who are currently suffering with asbestos related illneses. Here, we see almost an entire family suffering and dying, in the prime of their lives simply because of dangers they were exposed to, while they worked hard to provide for their families. In Northern Ireland this problem will reach epidemic proportions because of the shipbuilding and construction industry. These people only tried to make an honest living and now they are suffering and dying. Where is the justice in that? |