A man in his 50s has died after a gate fell on him at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow on Thursday morning, The Journal reported.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene at the county GAA grounds at 10.30am. Gardaí said in a statement that the man was already receiving medical treatment when they arrived, but was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.
The Irish Independent reported that the man, who worked at the grounds, was opening a gate or large aluminium door on rollers on the outside pitch between Netwatch Cullen Park and the neighbouring O’Hanrahan’s GAA Club when it left its hinges or rollers and fell on him.
Investigation Under Way at Netwatch Cullen Park
The Health and Safety Authority has been notified and has launched an investigation into the fatal incident, RTE.ie reported. The Office of the State Pathologist has also been notified, and a post-mortem examination will be carried out. The man’s body has been removed from the scene, and a file will be prepared for the Coroner’s Court.
The Irish Times reported that Netwatch Cullen Park serves as the home ground for the Carlow Gaelic football and hurling teams and has a capacity of 11,000.
Carlow GAA Offers Condolences to Scheme Worker’s Family
In a statement, Carlow GAA said: “Carlow GAA expresses its sympathies and offers its condolences to the family of the scheme worker who was fatally injured in a work-related incident this morning at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow.” The organisation added that it is cooperating with the statutory bodies and working with the GAA’s own National Health and Safety Committee.
Questions Readers Are Asking
What exactly caused the death at the Carlow GAA grounds?
The Irish Independent reported that the man was pulling a gate, described as a very large aluminium door on rollers, when it left its hinges or rollers and fell on him.
Has the man who died been named?
No. Gardaí and Carlow GAA have referred to him only as a male in his 50s and a scheme worker at the grounds.
What happens next with the investigation?
A post-mortem examination will be carried out after the State Pathologist was notified, a file will be prepared for the Coroner’s Court, and the Health and Safety Authority has launched its own investigation.
A local man who lives about 50 metres from the park told the Irish Independent: “It’s horrific for everyone involved especially the people who work at Netwatch Cullen Park and the emergency responders too who were first on the scene.”
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