Second man dies in Longford accident

A second man has died followed an accident at a hardware store in Longford town on Tuesday afternoon. The accident happened just after 2pm when an internal 40-foot wall collapsed in the Connacht Gold store, located on the Athlone Road in Longford town. A local man in his 40s died on Tuesday afternoon shortly after the accident. He has been named locally as 49-year-old Sean Mulleady from nearby Drumlish, who had been a customer in the store at the time of the wall collapse. Yesterday evening, it was confirmed that a second man, Paddy Gaffney, 63 from Rooskey in Roscommon had also died from injuries sustained in the tragic accident. Four other people are understood to remain in Mullingar and Tullamore hospitals today following the incident. One of the four is believed to be in a critical condition. The Health and Safety Authority is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. Local Fine Gael TD James Bannon has reacted with shock and sadness to the news of the loss of life and severe injuries in Connacht Gold, pledging to ensure there is a full investigation considering its location so close to the controversial Gleann Riada estate. "I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the families of all concerned. I am determined that a full investigation of this tragic occurrence will be carried out without delay, on their behalf. Unfortunately situated as it is close to the Glenn Riada Estate, serious questions must be asked in connection with this tragedy at the centre." "It is questionable as to why a wall collapsed in a centre that is merely two years old. We must ask ourselves whether weather conditions weakened foundations that are very near to the flood plains on which Glenn Riada Estate is built. He has raised the issue of problems associated with Glenn Riada last week in the Dail and stated that he will raise it over and over again until a satisfactory outcome is obtained. "This terrible accident only serves to demonstrate the urgent need for all infrastructure in the vicinity to be assessed," he concluded.