Investigations launched into death of council worker

Gardaí, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and Cork County Council are set to launch separate investigations after a worker died after being hit in the head by a pole which was felled by a digger.

Michael O’Donovan, 46, who was living in Dripsey, Co Cork, was working at the Vicarage housing estate near Carr’s Hill in the Douglas area, when the accident happened just before 3pm on Friday.

Mr O’Donovan incurred head injuries and was taken to Cork University Hospital, where he died.

He was originally from Aghabullogue and was employed as a general operative with Cork County Council.

Cllr Barbara Murray, the county mayor, said Mr O’Donovan’s death was having “reverberations” throughout the council. “It is like a family and it is one of our own. It is felt right through the organisation. My first reaction was to think of his family losing him before Christmas. It is very sad.”

A statement read: “The council extends its sympathy to the wife and family of its valued employee and colleague and will be offering whatever support it can in these tragic circumstances.

“Cork County Council will be carrying out its own investigations and co-operating fully with investigations by the HSA and gardaí.”