This article is from page 9 of the 2012-10-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
THREE separate investigations have been launched following the electrocution of a man in North Clare last week. The man, who has been identified as 58-year-old father of four, Johnny Geraghty, from Loughrea, died when the pole he had been helping to erect came into contact with overhead power cables.
Mr Geraghty was working as a contractor for ESB Networks when the accident took place. It is understood that he and another man were erecting a pole to carry power to a new house in the area.
The tragedy took place just after 12.30pm last Monday, September 24, at Ballybornagh, in Boston. The men had dug a hole for the timber pole and, while the JCB operator was lifting it into place, the pole touched overhead wires carrying 10,000 volts.
It is believed the victim may have been holding on to a metal stay wire when the accident took place. He was pronounced dead at the scene and a priest performed the last rites over the body before it was removed to the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick for a postmortem examination.
The JCB driver was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Galway after being left deeply traumatised by the tragedy. The area was sealed off while a Garda forensic team from Ennis carried out an examination of the scene.
Two units of the Gort Fire Brigade, an ambulance from Galway and a local doctor attended the incident while a number of engineers and officials from ESB Networks also travelled to the scene.
Separate investigations into the incident have been launched by the Health and Safety Authority, ESB Networks and local gardaí. Gardaí in Ennis will forward a report on the incident to the County Coroner who will host an inquest.
Mr Geraghty was laid to rest at the Leitrim New Cemetery in Loughrea last Thursday. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, three daughters and one son. Mr Geraghty had worked as a contractor with ESB Networks for many years and was also a part-time farmer.