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Memorials pay a fitting tribute to Irish builders…
 BY
ELAINE SHERIDAN
Memorials have been erected in London in memory of two Irish men who died following
accidents in the workplace.
Cork-born Patrick O’Sullivan was a 54-year-old carpenter who was
crushed to death while building the new Wembley Stadium in 2004.
Now three years later his devoted family will finally see a plaque erected
at the national football ground in his memory.
The family have been at odds with the stadium’s board of directors
when it came to agreeing the size of the memorial to Mr O’Sullivan
— who died after a platform fell 100 feet, crushing the Irishman
and causing him to bleed to death.
On Friday, October 12 the plaque will be unveiled at the stadium in front
of a small gathering of friends and family.
His son John said: “Wembley have been reluctant to have coverage
for the unveiling of the plaque.
“They have ignored requests by the family whose input regarding
the plaque was promised from the very beginning.
“It’s almost like they are ashamed and don’t want to
acknowledge that my dad died in such tragic circumstances.”
A Wembley spokesperson said: “We have extended our sincere condolences
to the O’Sullivan family and as such we have been working closely
with them to ensure that Patrick is remembered in a fitting manner.
“After a number of meetings with the family we have mutually agreed
the design and location of a memorial plaque and have adapted the design
to suit the family’s wishes.
“The plaque will be positioned 10 feet above the ground to avoid
the risk of vandalism.
“Wembley Stadium has also organised a private unveiling ceremony
with the O’Sullivan family and have invited members of the family
to England’s forthcoming match with Estonia.”
At the time of his passing Patrick O’Sullivan, who lived in Ealing,
had been looking forward to retiring to his native Ireland with his wife
of 35 years Mary.
The inquest into his death has not yet begun.
Kieron Deeney is another Irish casualty of Britain’s building sites.
The Donegal native and newlywed was
a friend of Patrick O’Sullivan.
The 25-year-old from Rathmullen was working on one of the glistening towers
of Docklands when he fell 100 feet to his death after walking along a
plank of wood covering a lift shaft.
His inquest later heard the wood was rotten and the coroner conveyed a
rare verdict of unlawful killing.
Just last week a sculpture in his honour was erected at the spot where
he was killed in 2004. Over 60 people turned out for the memorable occasion.
His widow Jennifer said: “I lost everything the day Kieron died.
“We were so happy together. Unfortunately I had to fight alone to
be heard.
“Kieron wasn’t part of a union and so they didn’t get
involved with me.
“It’s sad because if it can’t be used for political
gain then no-one’s interested.
“Luckily I managed to get Kieron’s company Laing O’Rourke
on side and now the statue is in place in his memory.”
A spokesperson from Laing O’Rourke said: “Keiron’s loss
was devastating for his family and for the Laing O’Rourke company
as a whole.
“The lessons of that day continue to be remembered and built upon
on a daily basis.
“The sculpture is a remarkable memorial in a landscape garden area.
“We were happy to be part of this fitting tribute to Kieron.”
And just last month two construction companies were fined £125,000
after father-of-two Stephen Conlon was crushed to death beneath a ton
of toughened glass in January 2005.
The 30-year-old Dubliner from Haringey was trapped under five large panels
and suffered massive internal injuries.
After the hearing the HSE warned companies to put safety measures in place
to prevent similar accidents. |
