Worker took own life in mine blast after criticism from his colleagues

A man took his own life in an explosion at the mine where he worked just hours after a review meeting at which he became upset when told of “weak points” voiced about him by colleagues, an inquest heard.

Mine captain Joe Fallon, aged 47, from Two-Mile-Borris in Co Tipperary, left two letters in his locker at work before he died in an explosion 190m underground on Feb 2, 20011 — one addressed to his partner and one “to whom it concerns”.

The letters were described by his family at the inquest as “his last words”.