Man killed working on gas pipeline

A man has been killed while working on a gas pipeline in Co Tipperary.

Gas Networks Ireland said in a statement that, despite initial reports the man died in a gas explosion the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident were “not clear”.

The company said that the man was a subcontractor of Balfour Beatty CLG Limited, working on behalf of Gas Networks Ireland and extended its sympathies to the family of the deceased.

According to a source the man may have died during a series of pressure tests on part of the pipeline outside Nenagh on the old N7 Limerick Dublin road.

The blast spewed dirt and dust over a large area according to a Garda source.

Gardaí assisted by fire service personnel, and officials from the Health and Safety Authority attended the scene.

Two investigations are been carried out by Nenagh Garda and the authority. The company involved in the pipeline project is

believed to be carrying out its own internal investigation into what exactly happened.

The deceased, who is

believed to be in his 40s, sustained catastrophic injuries, gardaí said. The incident occurred shortly before 3.30pm near Ashlawn

Nursing Home just outside Nenagh.

The road was closed to traffic as gardaí and the health authority conducted examinations at the scene.