UCC governing board member dies in cherry-picker accident on campus

A member of the governing board of UCC died yesterday when he was crushed under a machine while working on maintenance of lights at the university.

Frank McGrath, 58, was directing a cherry-picker lift when he was crushed by the machine yesterday.

Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority are carrying out separate investigations into the accident, which happened on the main UCC campus at 4.20pm yesterday.

Mr McGrath, a married man who has a 33-year-old son, was described as a very popular member of staff who had worked in the UCC maintenance department since 1986.

Mr McGrath, who lived in the Richmond Hill area on the northside of Cork City, had been a respected worker representative on the governing board of UCC.

He was known for his love of music and was very popular with students and staff alike.

Supt Barry McPolin confirmed that gardaí were treating Mr McGrath’s death “as a tragic accident” and offered his condolences to his family and friends.

A UCC spokeswoman said staff and students were “deeply saddened” by what had happened to Mr McGrath, who was “a most respected” member of the buildings and estates department.

She said Mr McGrath was immensely popular among all staff. He was elected on two occasions to membership of the governing body, “where he shared his wisdom, pragmatism, and above all his loyalty to and pride in UCC”, she said.

The spokeswoman said the university would offer all its support to Mr McGrath’s family and to traumatised staff and students following the tragic death.