Candle light vigil to be held at Limerick bridge where workers died
Andrew Carey | August 31, 2015
A CANDLE light vigil for the two men who died in an work place accident at Thomond Bridge is to take place this coming Saturday night at 8.30pm.
TJ Herlihy (36) from Castleisland Co Kerry and Brian Whelan (29) from O’Briens Bridge, Co Clare, were killed when the safety cage they were working on collapsed into the River Shannon at Thomond Bridge, trapping the two men under the water.
The tragedy unfolded at around 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon last when the cable attached to the crane that was suspending the cage over the side of the bridge gave way.
Both victims were wearing life jackets but were also in harnesses, which were attached to the cage when it fell into the water.
A third worker, 36-year-old Paul Murphy from Askeaton in Co Limerick, managed to free his harness and swim down river and raise the alarm.
Tragically, 36-year-old TJ Herlihy and 29-year-old Brian Whelan became trapped when the cage became submerged in the fast flowing waters.
Members of the public, touched by the tragedy have organised a a candle light vigil to show support for the families of the men who will be buried this week.
“In times of tragedy like this and in other times Limerick people can show great solidarity. Even though the two men are not from the city our city would like to pay our respects and mourn with their families,” said Cllr Jerry O’Dea, Metropolitian Mayor of Limerick.
A statement issued on behalf of Irish Bridge, Ballyengland, Askeaton, Co. Limerick, who were contracted by Limerick City and County Council to carry out the essential repair works said:
“IRISH Bridge would like to offer its sincerest sympathies to the families of Brian and TJ following this terrible tragedy.
“It’s heart-breaking, our thoughts and prayers are with their families, relatives and friends at this very sad time.”
The company thanked all the emergency service personnel “for their professionalism” adding:
“We will, of course, co-operate fully with all authorities examining the incident. The company will not be making any further comment at this point.”
The HSA are leading an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
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Two men have died after falling from Thomond Bridge in Limerick while carrying out maintenance work.
A third man, who was working with them, is believed to be unhurt.
It is understood the three men were wearing life jackets and safety harnesses to tether them to the cage, which was suspended from a crane, when it broke away.
One man managed to free his harness and swim down river but the two others were trapped in the cage as it fell into the water at around 3.30pm.
The two men, aged in their late 20s and early 40s, are thought to have been under water for at least ten minutes.
Three Swift Water Rescue Technicans were deployed as part of the rescue operation and freed the men from their harnesses.
Members of Limerick Marine Search and Rescue brought the men ashore at Clancy Strand and they were brought to hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
Limerick City and County Council said the men who died were employees of a firm contracted to undertake remedial works to the bridge, which began on Monday.
In a statement, the council said it is liaising with gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority and expressed its sympathy to the families and colleagues of the men.
Divers from Limerick Marine Search and Rescue assisted in raising the cage from the water and it was removed from the scene shortly after 8.30pm.
The Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter was also deployed after the alarm was raised this afternoon.