THREE SEPARATE investigations are under way into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 20-year-old man who suffered an electric shock apparently while climbing an ESB pylon in Cork.
Mourners gathered at Christ the King Church in Turner’s Cross for the funeral of Donncadha O’Flynn, from Greenhills Court in Douglas, who received the electric shock while apparently climbing a high voltage pylon near his home at about 11pm on Friday.
The company where Mr O’Flynn worked closed yesterday as a mark of respect for a young man who was described a “very honest and good worker”.
Seán Fitton, manager of Q Fab in Little Island, said work colleagues were devastated by the loss.
Gardaí are still investigating Mr O’Flynn’s death but they have said that it appears to be a tragic accident.
Statements from witnesses will be taken and included in a file being prepared for the coroner’s court.
The ESB said it is conducting its own internal investigation and is helping with the Garda investigation and a Health and Safety Authority investigation.
Investigators want to know whether Mr O’Flynn climbed over special anti-climb devices installed on the four legs of the pylon, which reach about 15 foot above ground level, or whether he received his fatal shock below these devices. The pylon is located yards from a public path which runs behind a housing estate.
An ESB spokesman offered his condolences and reiterated a warning about the hazards associated with climbing pylons.
Local Fine Gael councillor Laura McGonigle said the positioning of the pylon in a green area of a high-density housing estate is “absolutely ridiculous”.