Flat safety fears of family haunted by electrocution death of Ralph Kennedy

Published: 10 February 2011
by RICHARD OSLEY

THE partner of a scaffolder electrocuted on a Camden Council estate has had to complain to the Town Hall about electrical safety in her own home.

Kelly Ivory was told that sockets at her council flat in Royal College Street, Camden Town, were potentially dangerous after a tumble dryer kept cutting out in the middle of a spin.

When she ordered a replacement dryer, re­pairmen warned her to get the electrics in the property checked.

Ms Ivory, whose partner Ralph Kennedy,  known by his boyhood nickname “Barney”, died after touching a faulty light fitting while working on the Mayford estate in Somers Town in 2006, called the council for help but says she was told she would have to wait a week for a full safety check.

“I told them what had happened with Barney and that I was extra worried about electricity because of everything we have been through but they said I had to wait for days,” Ms Ivory said. “I think that’s disgusting. If it’s dangerous or there is a chance that it is dangerous then they should come as soon as they can.” 

The Town Hall said the flat was made safe during an emergency call-out on the day the problem was reported – and the follow-up check this week was just “precautonary”.

Four children live in the flat in Foster Court: Mr Kennedy’s son Bailey and daughter Beth­any and Ms Ivory’s twin boys from another relationship.

She said: “I am terrified of them even going close to the socket. There were no problems until they came to do up the flats. We wanted a new kitchen but we also wanted the electrics to work properly.”

The earth wire in the light fitting that killed Mr Kennedy, 24, had been cut in a suspected short-cut repair. The council was fined following a Health and Safety Executive inquiry and admitted liability before a civil case reached the courts. 

The contractor who had worked on the light fitting could not be traced by the council.

Ms Ivory said: “We will never forget what happened to Barney – and the council should always put electrical safety first.”

The New Journal reported last month that electrical issues have been uncovered, and dealt with, at council properties in Camden Town and Gospel Oak since the tragedy. 

A council spokesman said: “An emergency electrician was dispatched the same day who found that an earth wire had come loose in the fitting. The flat is fitted with a residual current device which acts as a circuit breaker to ensure the safety of residents in such circumstances. The socket was made safe at this time and he recommended a test be carried out as a precaution. A follow-up appointment was made.” 

He added: “A fault was traced to a fused spur unit on one circuit which he repaired, tested and left in safe working order. The installation has been checked again is in safe working order.” 

Second tragedy Tribute to grandfather

BARRY Ivory, grandfather to Barney Kennedy’s son and daughter, died last month after suffering a heart attack.

His wife Julie said: “It has been a tough time and we just want to say thank you to everyone for all their messages and support. 

“He lived in Camden Town all his life, grew up here and was really well known around the area. People would come to him for help. He would give them advice, help them to fill in forms, make sure they were getting what they were entitled to.”

Mr Ivory had helped his daughter Kelly through the legal proceedings against Camden Council after the electrocution of her partner. “He loved his children and his grandchildren,” said Julie. “Bailey thought the world of him.”

Mr Ivory, of Bernard Shaw Court in Camden Town, had worked as a greengrocer, in a newspaper office and at WH Smith stationers.