Investigation into septic tank fatality could take months
It is believed the tragedy involving the tank was one of the first of its kind.
The victim, Kenneth Murphy, 27, and a colleague from a drain services company, had been cleaning a tank used by the four-star Garryvoe Hotel.
A spokesperson for the hotel said their thoughts and prayers were with the families affected by the terrible tragedy and that the matter was now in the hands of the investigators.
Mr Murphy’s colleague Finbarr Ahern, 32, was taken to hospital but is expected to make a full recovery.
The two men were employed by Munster Drain Services, based in Belgooly near Kinsale.
They had been cleaning the tank at the hotel for a number of days before the accident happened at lunchtime yesterday.
Two inspectors from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will interview witnesses and test work equipment in a bid to find out the cause of the tragedy.
A spokesman for the HSA said it was impossible to tell how long the investigation would take but that such matters can be lengthy when there is a fatality involved.
“We don’t yet know the exact circumstances of this accident so we don’t want to speculate.
“But there has not been a similar case with a septic tank in this country. We have had some involving confined spaces and gases but not specifically with a septic tank.”
Septic tanks treat the wastewater and sewage that flows from buildings and must be cleaned periodically to ensure they continue to function safely.
In order to be cleaned, the tanks are opened, exposing the person cleaning it to gases inside. If a person inhales hydrogen sulfide in small amounts, it can irritate the respiratory system. However, high concentration of hydrogen sulfide can result in shock, asphyxiation and death.
Mr Murphy, who has a twin brother Daniel, is understood to have been working for the company since he was a 16-year-old.
Mr Murphy is one of five children of Danny and Cathy Murphy. A wide circle of family and friends waked the deceased last night at the family home in Belgooly.
His body will be removed this evening to the Church of the Sacred Heart in Belgooly where the funeral service will be held tomorrow.
He will be laid to rest afterwards at Clontead Cemetery.
Cllr Alan Coleman, who is from Belgooly, said the whole community was praying for the Murphy family and for the speedy recovery of Mr Ahern.
He said there was a deep sense of shock in the community and the village was “devastated”.
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