THE family of one of the ten victims of the Haut du Mont explosion have welcomed the latest development in the long-running investigation into the incident, which saw charges brought against three men this week.
Former Island Energy employees Neil Armstrong, Lee Ward and John Wright were each charged with ten counts of gross negligence manslaughter – relating to each of the ten people who died in December 2022 – and are due to appear in court for the first time next month.
Nine people were killed in the direct aftermath of the blast. Kathleen McGinness (73) became the tenth and final victim when she died in hospital two weeks later.
Mrs McGinness’s three children – Karlene, Stephen and Paul – contacted the JEP with a statement giving their reaction to this week’s news.
The family said: “It’s been a very long process up until this point, but we recognise it’s been a complex investigation.”
They said that they were “pleased” that the investigation had finally reached this stage and that “things are progressing towards all the questions we have being answered”.
“What we’ve been through and continue to go through is horrific,” they said.
In addition to her three children, Mrs McGinness had six grandchildren, now aged between three and 12.
A few days after her death, she was described by her family as the “perfect” mum and grandmother, with boundless positivity and energy, and a great sense of fun.
Her children also paid tribute to a proud Scot, a committed Christian, a dedicated and organised employee, a reliable friend and a generous host.
The other Haut du Mont residents who died were Peter Bowler (72), Raymond Brown (71), Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64 years), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73 years), Ken and Jane Ralph (72 and 71 years) and 63-year-old Billy Marsden.
The charges followed a States police investigation that Detective Superintendent Alison Fossey described as “the largest and most complex in the States of Jersey Police’s 70-year history”.
Mr Armstrong (56), Mr Ward (57) and Mr Wright (59) are due to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Friday 14 March.
