Tributes paid to man who died in workplace accident in Co Limerick

David Raleigh

Tributes were paid to a man who was found dead after a wall fell on top of him in Co Limerick.

The man, named locally as Brendan Brosnan, was found dead among rubble, at Athea, west County Limerick, on Monday.

It’s understood Brosnan, 20s, had been operating a mini demolition machine at a derelict property when a wall or chimney collapsed on top of him.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), which investigates workplace deaths, said: “The Heath and Safety Authority is aware of the fatal incident and has launched an investigation into the circumstances.”

“As such, no further information is available at this time,” added the HSA spokesman.

Family friend and local Fine Gael County Councillor, Liam Galvin, Abbeyfeale, said: “Brendan was living near me and I was only talking to him last Friday, and can I say that he was an absolute gentleman.”

“Brendan was one of the nicest young lads one could ever meet. All he wanted to do was work with machinery, and he was very skilled with his hands,” said Mr Galvin.

“He was taking down a wall in a derelict house, and the top half of the wall came through the ceiling on top of him,” he said.

“It’s just so sad; it’s heartbreaking. All my thoughts are with his family. I was with the family earlier and they are heartbroken.”

“He was one of six children, four girls and two boys, to Catherine and Brendan Sr.”

“His two first cousins played with New York in the All-Ireland football series, and his uncle Mike Brosnan played with Kerry in the national league.”

“He was stone-mad for machinery, and he always wanted to be up on tractors and driving machines; It’s a very sad thing.”