FATHER AND DAUGHTER KILLED IN TRAGIC WORKPLACE INCIDENT AS COMMUNITY MOURNS TOGETHER

A father and daughter who died in a tragic workplace incident at a concrete manufacturing plant in Ireland have been named as Mihai Chinez, 49, and his daughter Denisa Mihaela Chinez, 24.

The pair died at Banagher Precast Concrete in Banagher, County Offaly, on Monday morning, September 28.

Emergency services were called to the workplace shortly before midday, but both Mihai and Denisa were pronounced dead at the scene. Their deaths have left the local community in deep shock.

FATHER AND DAUGHTER HAD WORKED AT THE SAME COMPANY

Mihai and Denisa were originally from Romania but had lived and worked in the Banagher area for several years.

According to local reports, the father and daughter were working at the plant when the incident occurred. The Irish Times reported that they were understood to have been preparing a concrete mould at the time.

Their bodies were later taken to Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore, where post-mortem examinations were due to take place.

The exact circumstances of the incident have not yet been established.

Ireland’s Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has launched an investigation, while Gardaí and the coroner have also been notified.

The HSA said it was aware of the fatal incident and that an investigation was under way, adding that no further information was available while the investigation continued.

“THE WHOLE TOWN HAS GONE QUIET”

The deaths have had a profound impact on Banagher, with residents describing an atmosphere of shock and sadness following the tragedy.

John Leahy, chairperson of the Birr Municipal District, said there was a “deep sense of shock” throughout the community.

He said people were waiting to see what support the family might need, while expressing concern for colleagues who may have witnessed the incident.

The Irish Times reported that locals described the town as unusually quiet following the deaths.

The tragedy has also affected the wider Romanian community in the area.

Mihai’s wife and Denisa’s mother, Angela, also works at Banagher Precast Concrete, according to local reports.

Denisa’s sister, Lavinia Alexandra, and her fiancé, Liviu Blaj, were also named in the family’s funeral notice.

COMPANY SAYS IT IS SUPPORTING THE FAMILY

Banagher Precast Concrete said the deaths represented a devastating tragedy for everyone connected with the company.

In a statement, the company extended its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the two people who died.

It said its immediate priority was supporting the bereaved family and ensuring they received whatever assistance was available.

The company also confirmed that the circumstances surrounding the incident were not yet fully known and said it would cooperate fully with the statutory authorities investigating what happened.

Banagher Precast Concrete operates a large manufacturing facility in Offaly and also has a site in Norfolk, England. The company employs hundreds of people across its operations.

JOINT FUNERAL FOR FATHER AND DAUGHTER

Mihai and Denisa will be mourned together by their family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

Their remains are due to be received at Banagher Community Centre on Wednesday, September 30, ahead of a funeral Mass at St Rynagh’s Church on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Denisa will be buried at St Rynagh’s Cemetery, while her father will be cremated at a later date.

Their death notice said the pair would be “sadly missed and deeply regretted” by their family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues.

As the investigation continues, the community of Banagher is coming together to support a family that has suffered an unimaginable loss — losing a father and daughter in the same tragic workplace incident.