Dublin councillor and girlfriend die in Beijing collision

A DUBLIN councillor and his girlfriend were killed in a Beijing road accident yesterday as they travelled to see the Great Wall of China.

Green leader Trevor Sargent TD expressed his shock at news Cllr Fintan McCarthy and partner Sonia Rabbitte had died when the minibus they were passengers on collided with a lorry on the outskirts of the Chinese capital.

“Fintan McCarthy was the most decent, hard-working guy anyone could ever meet. My heart goes out to the families of both Fintan and his girlfriend Sonia Rabbitte, their many close friends and especially Fintan’s best friend Paul Gogarty TD.

“In the face of this inexplicable tragedy, the Green Party, like a family, grieves the loss of a great friend and public representative,” Mr Sargent said praising the South Dublin County Councillor who was from Lucan.

Cement drainage pipes reportedly fell off the heavy-duty lorry on to the rear of the minibus instantly killing the Irish couple and a Dutch man, according to the Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

In another holiday tragedy, a nephew of Defence Minister Willie O’Dea drowned in Ibiza yesterday.

Basil Bourke, aged 24 was with a group of friends from Hospital, Co Limerick, when the accident occurred. He was due to graduate from the University of Limerick in September.

The dead man’s mother, Mrs Mary Bourke is a sister of the minister.

“It seems Basil and some friends went out on a boat which had a disco. It was a floating disco and, at some point, he went into the water and got into difficulties.

“We are all devastated. He was my sister’s and brother-in-law John’s only son and they have two girls, Lillian and Caroline,” Mr O’Dea said.

The minister said news of the tragedy had been relayed to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the gardaí by the Spanish authorities.