TREE FELLING FATALITY PAGE 13
MAN WAS UNDER A TELEPORTER WHEN HE WAS STRUCK BY A FALLING TREE BRANCH
THE village of Curry was left in shock after the tragic death of a young man during a tree felling accident last week.
Gerard Greene, of Gortnagoyne Dunmore Co Galway was killed instantly when a branch of a tree struck him while he was working for S & S Tree Services at a private house in Drumbaun townland, Curry on Monday 16 th April.
The Health and Safety Authority are investigating the incident.
A spokesperson told The Sligo Champion that the accident happened around midday while three men were working on cutting down a tree.
One man was in a raised teleporter while two men were below him.
The spokesperson said from their preliminary findings, it appeared a branch came loose and struck one of the men at the bottom.
“He died at the scene,” they said. HSA inspectors quickly attended the scene, along with the emergency services.
“This is a criminal investigation. It will continue for a good while now, depending on the incident and number of witnesses,” they told this newspaper.
The HSA investigation may take up to a year after which a file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The spokesperson also said: “It doesn’t appear there was any issue with the machinery.”
A spokesperson for S&S Tree Services declined to comment on the matter.
The Dunmore community in Galway was also left reeling after the sudden death of Gerard Greene.
A Garda spokesperson said: “A male in his 30s has been fatally injured on Monday the 16 th of April at 11am in Drumbaun, Curry Co Sligo.
“The HSA and Gardaí are investigating this incident. The HSA have been notified. The body was taken to Sligo University Hospital for post-mortem.”
Mr Greene is survived by his parents Michael and Ursula, his girlfriend Sarah, his sisters Orlagh, Eimer and Amber, his brothers Ethan and J.P, his wider family and a wide circle of friends and work colleagues.
He reposed at his home in Dunmore last Wednesday and Thursday evening with removal on Friday afternoon to St Patrick’s Church Garrafrauns for funeral mass at 1 pm.
Gerard Greene was laid to rest afterwards in Addergoole Cemetery.
Dunmore McHale’s GAA club paid tribute to him and sympathised with his two brothers who are members of the club.