Funeral details announced for respected trade union representative who died in Waterford 

Pat Fitzgerald. Picture: RIP.ie

Funeral details have been announced for a respected trade union representative and father of three in his 70s who died in hospital following an incident at a house in Waterford.

Pat Fitzgerald, who was in his 70s, was found with injuries at a home in Waterford city on Friday.

He was taken to University Hospital Waterford but died on Sunday.

The man in his 30s who was arrested in connection with the incident was charged with assault causing harm. He was remanded in custody.

Mr Fitzgerald suffered a serious assault at his home and was transferred to hospital where he was treated in intensive care but he died later in hospital.

No weapons are believed to have been used in the suspected assault.

The investigation may later be upgraded to a murder investigation.

Mr Fitzgerald has been described as a "highly respected and astute" trade union leader. He had worked hard for his community, independent local councillor Donal Barry said.

Originally a glass blower in Waterford Crystal, he became the full-time union convenor for the company’s workforce of some 3,000 people.

He was highly respected by everyone there – workers and management, Mr Barry, who worked with Mr Fitzgerald at Waterford Crystal, said.

“He was the best we ever had,” Mr Barry said. “He was well-known and very highly thought of.

“People are shocked and saddened by the news.”

Mr Fitzgerald fought for Waterford Crystal’s workforce when the iconic Irish company went bankrupt during the financial crash.

He was involved with the union Unite when workers occupied the Waterford city plant in 2009.

The sit-in made international news and inspired a documentary.

Mr Fitzgerald was late of St Catherine’s Grange and Avondale in Waterford. The widower is predeceased by his wife Kathleen, his father Jack, brother Mark and nephew Luke.

He is survived by his adult children Wayne, Joanne and Karl, his mother Maura, eight siblings, his four grandchildren, in-laws, extended family, neighbours and friends.

Mr Fitzgerald will lie in repose at Tom Hennessy's Funeral Home in Johnstown, Waterford on Thursday from 5.30pm to 7pm.

His funeral will take place at the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly in Waterford at noon on Friday with burial following in St Mary's Cemetery, Ballygunner, Waterford. The mass will be live-streamed.