Bailieboro footballer killed in Australian gas explosion

The Cavan GAA world and the entire Bailieboro community were rocked to the core last Friday, as the tragic news that Paddy Bird (24) from Drumoosclin, Bailieboro, had been killed in a gas explosion in Darwin. Hundreds of people flocked to the Bird household over the weekend to extend their sympathies to his grieving parents, Francis and Kathleen; brother Francis and sister Julie. The refrigeration and air conditioning engineer left Ireland on a Thursday just over three months ago and he was tragically killed in this massive explosion, also on a Thursday. His devastated mother Kathleen said: "He was a great son to me and was at his happiest when he had a Bailieboro jersey on him." His father Francis said that as a footballer, Paddy was highly skilful, talented, dedicated and committed. "As a son he was good natured, loving, caring and gentle," he added. "I hugged him and waved him good by at the airport four months ago and I never dreamt in my wildest dreams that anything like this would happen," said his grieving father. His uncle Eugene Tormey who is a referee said he took charge of several games in which Paddy played and "I never had to give him a card of any colour in a game". He continued: "I saw him playing against Lavey in the Intermediate Championship in Breffni and he scored one of the best goals that was ever scored there. I will remember that feat for the rest of my life." Paddy's brother Francis said Paddy was the best brother ever any man could have. "He would do anything for you. We went to training and matches together and watched other teams playing in Breffni Park." He had the ability to get a score at a vital time to lift the team, said his brother. His sister Julie recalled with great fondness how he advised her when she was going to purchase a car. "He always really looked out for us." Paddy was part of two Bailieboro Junior teams that won county titles and he also won a county U16 Division 2 Championship medal with the club in 2002. He also won a Division 3 League title, a Hastings Cup accolade, and played for the County in two Leinster Junior finals. Paddy Bird had a wonderful flair and passion for the game and his father is proud of the fact that Paddy played U14 football when he was just over ten years of age. He was only 17 years of age when he made it onto the Bailieboro senior team. Expressing his sympathy to the family, the chairman of Bailieboro GFC John Rooney described Paddy as "a very talented young player" who had a lot of potential. The club was very sorry to lose him due to him having to emigrate to find work. He featured on the County U21 and Junior teams. Investigation As a major investigation into the cause of what happened continues, it appears that a gas canister in the back of an air conditioning van exploded as Mr Bird was heading off to work. The blast was so powerful it blew off the roof of the garage and a steel garden fence. Australian reports suggest that Mr Bird had just got into his van outside his home at Hudson Fyush Avenue in Parap near Darwin when the explosion happened. An eye witness, Drew Marsden, said the blast from the explosion could be heard several kilometres from the scene. According to local authorities, the blast was so powerful, the roof rack on the van was flung 30 metres, while windows in the houses across the road were blown out. The entire community is in shock at this devastating tragedy which has happened so far from home and the fact that it has occurred at Christmas time has made it even more poignant. Hundreds of Mr Bird's friends paid tribute to him on his Facebook page. At the time of going to press it was not yet known when the remains of the late Paddy Bird would be repatriated to Ireland.