Tragic death taints Electric Picnic festivities

GARDAÍ are preparing a file for the Laois county coroner following the tragic death of a young man at the Electric Picnic concert at the weekend.

John Paul Fitzgerald, 23, a former student nurse from Healy’s Bridge, Carrigrohane in Co Cork, collapsed in front of the main stage at the Stradbally Estate in Co Laois at about 1.30am on Sunday morning during the final stages of the headline Chemical Brothers’ gig.

Paramedics were on the scene within minutes. They were assisted by several gardaí. Mr Fitzgerald was rushed to the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise by ambulance but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Gardaí ruled out foul play but launched a full investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.

A post mortem examination was conducted at the Midland Regional Hospital yesterday afternoon.

However, the results of toxicology tests will take several weeks.

A Garda spokesman said they hoped to track down everyone who had contact with him in the hours before his death.

“We would appeal to anyone who has information to contact us here,” a Garda spokesman said.

A file will be prepared for the Laois county coroner Eugene O’Connor who will conduct an inquest later this year.

Mr Fitzgerald’s devastated parents, Jim and Anne, and their other son James travelled from Cork yesterday to collect the remains.

It is expected the funeral Mass will take place at St Senan’s Church in Cloghroe in the coming days.

Local Fine Gael county councillor Tomás Ryan described the Fitzgeralds as a lovely, hard-working family, and real community people.

“The hearts of everyone in the whole parish goes out to them on their tragic loss,” he said.

Electric Picnic concert promoter John Reynolds also offered his sympathies to the family.