Two die in funeral electrical accident tragedy

A rural community was today fighting to come to terms with a double tragedy after a freak electrical accident killed two people at a funeral.

Mourners attending the wake of a 21-year-old man in Boolaglass, near Askeaton, Co Limerick, were left devastated when two men were electrocuted as they erected temporary lighting.

Both were pronounced dead on arrival at the Mid West Regional Hospital shortly after 5pm yesterday. Three others suffered shock and burns.

The youngest, a 16-year-old, has been transferred to a special burns unit at Cork University Hospital.

A garda spokesperson said it was believed the accident happened when a tower light came into contact with an overhead cable.

The lighting was being rigged in a field adjoining the family home of William Sheehan, who was killed in a car crash last Friday night.

The field was being used as a car park due to the large number of mourners attending the wake.

As news of the accident spread, the close-knit community was plunged into grief, stunned by the enormity of such a tragedy.

Gardaí said the names of the dead men would not be released, although they are believed to have been in their mid-30s and early 40s, both married with young families.

It is understood that all five victims of the electrical incident were friends of the Sheehan family and that one of those killed and two of the injured were related.

Mr Sheehan died when his car crashed into a wall on the N69 at around 9.30pm on Friday.