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”.

The second letter conveyed his concerns about “sloppy things being done that he didn’t agree with”, coroner Paul Morris told the inquest in Clonmel and also pointed out “the potential for injury” at Lisheen Mines in Co Tipperary.

Mr Morris did not allow the second letter to be read in court, despite Mr Fallon’s brother Kevin saying the family felt the words “should be heard, not hidden”.

However, the coroner said the letter indicated Mr Fallon was “troubled” and “at the end of his tether, emotionally and spiritually”.

The coroner said there was an “abject failure” by management at Lisheen Mine to take on board issues raised prior to the review meeting or to “handle a situation” between Mr Fallon and a colleague.

The deceased had raised health and safety issues with colleagues at the mine and should have been applauded for doing so, the coroner said. In the end, “he opted for the ultimate sacrifice to communicate that message.”

Mr Fallon was separated from his wife Eileen and was living in Callan with his partner, Sara Bulfin, at the time of his death.

The inquest was told that he had “no business” being at an explosives box in the mineshaft at Lisheen at the time of the incident, 6.40pm, and that a number of deliberate steps had to be taken by somebody to set off the explosion which killed him, including pressing two buttons simultaneously.

In his verdict last night, the coroner said this evidence showed the tragedy was “due to an explosion consistent with self-inflicted death”.

Production manager Brendan Morris gave evidence of attending the review meeting on the afternoon of Feb 2, along with a colleague who had been asked to do a review at the workplace. They told Mr Fallon he was “a good person to work with” and “a good captain” but also discussed “Joe’s weaker points,” Mr Morris said in his statement to the inquest.