‘A genuinely lovely person who would help anyone any way he could’

Tributes have been paid to Vincent (Vincy) Mooney who died following an accident at a business premises in Bailieboro, Co Cavan, last week.

A father-of-four, Vincent (pictured right) was originally from Clonagrowna, Carnaross, and had been living in Blackthorn Close, Kells.

He lost his life in an accident involving the unloading of a lorry at Coolrite Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Ltd on Thursday afternoon of last week, 3rd November.

Vincent worked with Gaughran Brothers of Ballinlough where he was a much-valued and popular member of staff over his many years with the company.

News of his death was greeted with widespread shock and sadness and tributes have been paid by local GFC clubs and also his employer of 24 years.

In a statement on their Facebook page, Dennis Gaughran of Gaughran Brothers wrote: "It’s been a rough few days here at Gaughran Brothers following an accident involving Vincy while unloading a lorry at a business premises in Bailieboro. Sadly our friend and work colleague Vincent 'Vincy‘' Mooney lost his life.

"When someone works alongside you for 24 years, he becomes more than a work colleague, he becomes a friend and Vincy was a friend to everyone here.

"When he started driving here, he was mainly working in McCann & Byrne in Athboy delivering to every hardware from Malin to Mizen where especially he loved going west to Mayo and Achill Island where he would often bring Helen for a day or two.

"He then spent a few years in the garage fixing and servicing the trucks and trailers and was always available night, noon or morning to get lads going no matter where in the country or what ever time it was. The love of the road got him back driving again with a mix of work from Ace corrugated, Extraterm, Glanbia.

"Vincy was then asked would he drive a crane lorry in Chadwicks for us and he said he’d give it a go where he spent around six years and made great friends with his smile and can do attitude.

"Then last year the Chadwicks job finished, he was back delivering from the yard here in Ballinlough.

"Vincy was always on the road early and at his first delivery before they were open no matter where it was. He had a great way with people with his friendly smile and polite manner, as lads would often enquire from me, “how’s Vincy doing?"

Gaughan Brothers spoke of how sadly Vincent would be missed by the company and all in Ballinlough.

Carnaross GFC also paid tribute to Vincent and extended its sympathies to the Mooney and McLoughlin families. "It is with deep regret that Carnaross GFC has learned of the passing of Vincy Mooney, a past player, following a workplace accident. Vincy was a member of the successful Junior winning team in 1991 and he also represented the club on the Meath U21 team.

“He will be fondly remembered by all his team mates as an honest hardworking player who's strength was really incredible. He will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to line out with him. Vincy is affectionately remembered as a genuinely lovely person who would help anyone any way he could and he will be greatly missed."

Ballinlough GFC also expressed its sympathies to Vincent's family.

"We would also like to pass on our sympathies to the Mooney and McLoughlin families on the untimely and tragic passing of Vincy Mooney following a workplace accident. Vincy worked for local haulage company Gaughran Brothers for many many years and he was well known and loved by both colleagues and the large number of friends he made in the area."

Vincent is survived by his wife Helen, son Thomas, daughters Michelle, Emma and Jacqueline, brothers Sheamus (Jim) and Tom (Toddy), sister Kathleen (Glynn), aunts Judy and Delilah, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of friends and work colleagues.

His Funeral Mass took place this morning (Tuesday) at St Colmcille's Church, Kells with burial afterwards in the St Colmcille's Cemetery.

The accident is being investigated by both gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). A Garda spokesperson said: “A file will be prepared for the Coroners Court and the HSA will also complete their own investigation." A HSA spokesperson also confirmed that they are investigating the circumstances of Mr Mooney's tragic passing.