Northern Ireland

Donegal man killed in building site explosion

The victim has been named locally as father-of-one, Stephen Montgomery from Dunfanaghy.
The victim has been named locally as father-of-one, Stephen Montgomery from Dunfanaghy. The victim has been named locally as father-of-one, Stephen Montgomery from Dunfanaghy.

A man has been killed in an explosion while clearing rock at a work site in Gweedore in west Donegal.

It is believed the victim was struck by a rock while operating a digger when the tragedy happened near Bloody Foreland on Monday morning.

He has been named locally as 43-year-old Stephen Montgomery from Dunfanaghy, and was working with two colleagues when the incident occurred.

A spokeswoman for the Gardaí said the Republic’s Ambulance Service and Donegal Fire Brigade attended the scene.

The spokeswoman said: “An Garda Síochána has evacuated the surrounding area and the Irish Defence Forces’ Explosive Ordnance Disposal has been requested. 

“The Health and Safety Authority have been notified.”

North of Derrybeg in the Donegal Gaeltacht, Bloody Foreland overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and is hugely popular with northern holiday makers and visitors.

While full details are not yet known, it is believed authorities are treating the incident as a  workplace accident.

Donegal County Council suspended business briefly to observe a minute’s silence for the dead man.

On behalf of the council, chairman, Liam Blaney extended sympathy to the victim’s family.

Gweedore Sinn Féin councillor John Shéamuis Ó Fearraigh said people in the area were shocked by the tragedy. 

"I extend my personal condolences to the family of this young man who died so tragically," Mr Ó Fearraigh said. 

The Republic’s Health and Safety Authority said it was aware of the incident and had launched an investigation.