The tragic deaths of a father and daughter in a workplace in Banagher, Co Offaly, have affected the “whole town”, locals say.
Mihai Chinez (49) and Denisa Chinez (24) were killed in an incident at Banagher Precast Concrete on Monday morning.
An Garda Síochána and emergency services were called just before midday, but the pair were pronounced dead at the scene.
It is understood the two workers were preparing a concrete mould at the time of the incident.
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The father and daughter were from Romania, but lived and worked in the locality for many years. The woman’s mother and boyfriend also work in Banagher Precast Concrete, locals say.
The town has “gone quiet” following the tragedy, residents have said.
In Flynn’s Bar and Restaurant, on Main Street, the customers and staff were coming to terms with the news.
“It’s nearly like an eerie feeling [in the town],” said Amy Connaughton (20), from nearby Meelick Eyrecourt, Co Galway.
Connaughton, who works in Flynn’s, said she only knew the father and daughter to see and that they had been working “for years” with Banagher Precast Concrete.
“You can tell that there’s sadness in the town. It’s so sad. When it happens in your own community, it’s hard to process it,” she said.
Retired Army commandant, John Murphy (76), originally from Cabra, Dublin, but now living in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, was in Flynn’s with a friend and said he was “shocked” when he heard of the tragedy.
Murphy, who spends “quite a lot of time” in Banagher, did not know the father and daughter, but has come to know many people in the town, who were “very close knit, welcoming and friendly”.
He said the Romanian community in the town, including those who worked at the factory, were popular and hardworking.
“At lunch they would leave and cycle and go to local houses and eat, and then return to the factory. It’s a tragedy for a father and daughter from the one family … The town is more or less in silence,” he said.
In Main Street, Carmel Banks (58), who was out walking her dog, spoke of her shock.
“It’s very sad, people trying to earn a living. The whole town has gone quiet,” she said, also saying she hoped to place some flowers at the factory on Wednesday.
The company is a manufacturer of precast and pre-stressed concrete products. It operates from a 50-acre facility in Banagher. There is a secondary manufacturing site in Norfolk, eastern England, employing more than 250 staff.
The company said in a statement: “The board of directors, management team and employees of Banagher Precast Concrete extend their deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have lost their lives.
“This is a devastating tragedy for everyone connected with our company and our immediate priority is supporting the families of our colleagues and ensuring they receive every assistance and support available during this unimaginably difficult time.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are not yet fully known, the relevant authorities have been notified and a full investigation will ensue to establish the facts.
“Banagher Precast Concrete will co-operate fully with all statutory bodies and will continue to provide every assistance required as part of the investigation process.”
John Leahy, chairperson of the Birr Municipal District and a local independent councillor, said there was a “deep sense of shock” in the local community.
“People are waiting and they want to help, but there’s so much unknown at the moment,” he said.
He said the local community was ready to offer help, “if the call comes, we’re just waiting to see what needs to be done”.
Leahy said there was also deep concern for colleagues of the deceased who witnessed the accident.
A Health and Safety Authority spokesman said it was “aware of the fatal incident and has launched an investigation. As such, no further information is available at this time”.
