A north Antrim man and his company are to stand trial accused of health and safety offences arising from the death of a diver in a golf course lake.
Appearing at Antrim magistrates court, sitting in Ballymena, Tom Kieran Best (38) confirmed he was aware of the charges against him and also that as a director, he was authorised to appear on behalf of Golf Balls NI.
Golf Balls NI and it’s sole director, both with an address on Woodtown Lane in Coleraine, face four charges each arising from the incident on October 26 2021 at the Hilton Hotel in Templepatrick.
The company faces accusations of failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of non-employees and three similar breaches of diving regulations.
None of the alleged facts were opened in court, but it was reported at the time that emergency services were tasked to the scene following reports that a man had entered the water.
It is understood the man, aged in his fifties and who has not been named, had been diving for golf balls in the course lake as part of a charity fundraising initiative.
In court on Monday, a prosecuting lawyer submitted there was a Prima Facie case against Mr Best and his company, a submission which was conceded by defence solicitor Garrett McCann.
Returning the case to Antrim Crown Court, District Judge Nigel Broderick freed the defendant on his own bail of £500 with the arraignment scheduled to be heard on September 12.