FATHER AND DAUGHTER DIE AT WORK ON HIS 26TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY — “LITTLE DID THEY KNOW IT WOULD BE THEIR LAST”

A father and his daughter died in a workplace incident in Ireland on the same day he and his wife were preparing to celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary.

Mihai Chinez, 49, and his daughter Denisa Mihaela Chinez, 24, were killed at Banagher Precast Concrete in County Offaly on September 28.

The Romanian-born father and daughter had worked at the company for several years and were described by their priest as sharing an exceptionally close bond.

Their deaths have left a family and an entire community in shock.

A MORNING THAT BEGAN LIKE ANY OTHER

Mihai, Denisa, Mihai’s wife Angela and Denisa’s fiancé Liviu Blaj were all at the concrete facility that morning.

According to Fr. Patrick Kiernan, the family sat together during their morning break at around 10 a.m.

They talked, laughed and checked their phones.

But there was something special about that particular day.

It was Mihai and Angela’s 26th wedding anniversary.

It was also Mihai’s mother’s 87th birthday.

Mihai told the family they would get a cake after work to celebrate.

They had no idea that it would be the last time they would all sit together.

“LITTLE DID THEY KNOW”

Just over an hour later, emergency services were called to the Banagher facility following the workplace incident.

Mihai and Denisa were pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities have not released details explaining exactly how the incident happened.

The Health and Safety Authority was notified, and post-mortem examinations were arranged as part of the investigation.

At their funeral, Fr. Kiernan described the devastating contrast between the family’s plans that morning and what happened only hours later.

There would be no cake, no candles and no anniversary celebration.

Instead, the family was faced with funeral services, grief and unanswered questions.

A FATHER AND DAUGHTER WHO DID EVERYTHING TOGETHER

At St. Rynagh’s Church in Banagher on October 1, mourners heard about the extraordinary relationship between Mihai and Denisa.

They lived side by side.

They worked side by side.

And they walked to work together.

At the factory, they would lift, clean and prepare moulds together.

Fr. Kiernan said their connection went beyond being related by blood.

It was a daily relationship built around companionship, affection and shared work.

“They shared the quiet pride of hard work together,” the priest told mourners.

Denisa was remembered as cheerful, happy and good-humoured, with what the priest described as a big and generous heart.

She was also deeply religious and had recently been trying to obtain holy water from Lourdes.

Mihai was remembered as a hardworking father and loyal friend who wanted to build a better life for his wife and family.

A FAMILY LEFT DEVASTATED

Angela, Mihai’s wife and Denisa’s mother, also worked at Banagher Precast Concrete.

Denisa’s fiancé, Liviu, was also at the facility that morning.

The deaths therefore struck the same family at the heart of their workplace and community.

John Leahy, chairperson of the Birr Municipal District, said the local community had been left in deep shock and was preparing to support the family.

Banagher Precast Concrete said its board, management and employees extended their deepest sympathies to the families, friends and colleagues of those who died.

The company said its immediate priority was supporting the bereaved families and providing assistance during the investigation.

“A SPECIAL BOND”

For those who knew Mihai and Denisa, the tragedy has been made even more painful by the circumstances of their deaths.

They had arrived at work that morning as a family.

They had shared a meal break.

They had talked about celebrating an important anniversary.

And within hours, their lives had been changed forever.

At the funeral, Fr. Kiernan described their relationship as a “special bond” — a father and daughter whose lives were intertwined at home and at work.

Denisa was laid to rest at St. Rynagh’s Cemetery following the funeral Mass.

Mihai’s cremation is due to take place separately, with his ashes later to be interred alongside his daughter.

The investigation into the workplace incident continues.

But for their grieving family, the memory of September 28 will forever be the day that began with plans for a cake and an anniversary celebration — and ended with the loss of a father and daughter who had spent their lives working side by side.