A man who sued his employer and the Intel Ireland Ltd. claiming he was exposed to noxious chemical at the plant settled the case in a High Court action. The law suit by John Matthews (71) was filed seven years ago in which he claimed he was exposed to a toxic and noxious chemical while working on a refurbishment job at the Intel Ireland plant during a period from June 2013 to October 2014.
The claims were related to the refurbishment of a clean room where microchips are manufactured at the Intel plant and the pouring of a chemical sealant known as Penatron/ASTC 3003c. According to his counsel Barney Quirke SC, Mr. Matthews suffers from chronic shortness of breath which is a result of the exposure to the chemical substance.
The case of John Matthews was a test case for as many as 10 other actions being taken in the High Court in relation to alleged exposure. It is understood these cases will be mentioned before the court in the new year.
The terms of the settlement are confidential. Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told the case could be struck out.
Mr. Matthews of Ardee Road, Dundalk, Co Louth worked as a carpenter and the court heard he was involved in what were called pop outs where the chemical Penatron was poured.
Following the incident he sued his employer Ardmac Ltd with registered offices at Swords Business Campus, Balheary Rod, Swords, Co Dublin and Intel Ireland Ltd with registered offices at Simmonscourt House, Simmonscourt Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin.
The refurbishments works on an Intel clean room were being carried out by Ardmac at the Intel Leixlip, Co Kildare plant.