A father and daughter have died following a workplace accident at an industrial plant in County Offaly, Ireland, in what the company has described as an unprecedented and devastating tragedy.
The pair, who have not been named, passed away at around 11:40am on September 28 at Banagher Precast Concrete in the town of Banagher. The father, in his fifties, and the daughter, in her twenties, were reportedly of Romanian descent and had worked at the plant for several years, along with the woman's mother and boyfriend, according to locals speaking to the Irish Times.
Company expresses shock and sympathy
Banagher Precast Concrete said the incident had been "a devastating tragedy for everyone connected with our company" and that employees were "all in deep shock". In a statement to RTE News, a spokesperson passed on their "deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences" to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have died.
While the specificities of what caused the accident are not yet known, the company has said it will cooperate with the relevant investigative authorities. Post-mortems will reportedly be undertaken at Tullamore General Hospital, and both bodies remain at the scene for now.
Local representative offers condolences
Fianna Fáil's Tony McCormack TD offered his "deepest sympathies" to those impacted by the tragedy. He told the Irish Independent: "I was deeply saddened to hear the tragic news coming from Banagher, where two lives have been lost in a workplace incident."
"My thoughts are first and foremost with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives. I can only imagine the shock and heartbreak they are experiencing. I am also thinking of their friends, work colleagues and the wider Banagher community at this incredibly difficult time. My deepest sympathies go to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy."
A spokesman for Ireland's Health and Safety Association said they were aware of the fatal incident and had launched an investigation, although they could not provide any further information.
