TRIBUTES have been paid to the Castleisland man who died in a freak accident on the River Shannon in Limerick on Saturday.
Stonemasons, TJ O’Herlihy, from Tullig, Castleisland, and his colleague, Bryan Whelan, from Co Clare, had been working on a cage platform on Thomond Bridge in Limerick City when it fell into the River Shannon on Saturday afternoon.
A cable that was holding both men over the river snapped plunging the platform into water. Both men had been wearing life jackets that were attached to the cage.
It is reported that both men were unable to disconnect their life jackets from the cage. One man did manage to free himself however, he was rescued from the river.
Local publican and Fine Gael Cllr, Bobby O’Connell, paid tribute to the Castleisland man.
“TJ was prayed for at mass this morning. Everyone knows at this stage but last night we didn’t know it was one of our own. It’s horrific,” said Cllr O’Connell speaking on RTE news yesterday.
“We all saw it on the television last night not knowing a member of our own community was involved. It’s gone from sad to horrific here in Castleisland.”
The following is the funeral arrangements: Reposing at Tangney’s Funeral Home, Castleisland on Thursday evening (Sept 3rd) from 5pm to 7pm followed by removal to Castleisland Parish Church. Requiem Mass on Friday (Sept 4th) at 11am. Burial afterwards in Kilbanivane Cemetery, Castleisland. No flowers please. Donations in lieu to Cerebral Palsy Ireland c/o Tangney’s Funeral Home. House private please.