A tight knit community has been left stunned by the untimely death of Offaly Under 21 hurling manager Dermot Hogan yesterday.
The 45-year-old father-of-three was painting a shed at his home in Coolderry near Roscrea, Co Tipperary when he fell through a perspex roof and received fatal injuries yesterday evening.
Local Cllr Peter Ormond (FF) said “the whole area here was absolutely stunned at the news when it came through last night.”
He described Mr Hogan as a great community man. “He worked in the local meat factory in Nenagh and was well liked by all and my sympathies go out to his wife and kids,” he added.
Offaly GAA chairman Padraig Boland offered his heartfelt sympathies to the Mr Hogan’s wife Marie and daughters Lisa, Rachel and Ciara.
“Dermot’s positivity towards Offaly hurling was infectious, and remarked how following his first year in charge of the Offaly U21’s (2014) Dermot had learned a lot and was really looking forward to the Challenge ahead in 2015,” Mr Boland remarked.
“While Dermot’s loss to Coolderry and Offaly hurling will be huge, it pales into insignificance when compared to the loss that will be felt by his wife Marie and family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this extremely sad time,” said Mr Boland.
Mr Hogan was appointed manager of Offaly U21 hurlers in 2014 following an impressive record with his club Coolderry, having managed them to minor success in 2008 while also steering the Coolderry men to the Offaly U21 title in 2010. He was also a selector with the Offaly minor hurling team in 2013.
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) said an investigation has been launched into the death as it occurred on a farm. Mr Hogan's death is the fifteenth farm fatality this year.
Mr Hogan is survived by his wife Marie, daughters Lisa, Rachel and Ciara, parents Kieran and Margaret, brothers Kevin and Eugene.