‘Heaven bound, hammer down, your shift is over’

Emotional tributes have been paid to the Meath father of four who died in a tragic workplace accident in Bailieborough last week.

Vincent ‘Vincy’ Mooney sadly lost his life in an accident involving the unloading of a lorry at Coolrite Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Ltd on Thursday afternoon, November 3.

Aged in his 50s, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

From Kells, Co Meath, and formerly from Clonagrowna, Carnaross, Mr Mooney was laid to rest last Tuesday, November 8, following Funeral Mass at St Colmcille's Church, with burial afterwards in St Colmcille's Cemetery.

He 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, a wide circle of friends, and work colleagues.

In a heartfelt tribute posted online by his employer, Ballinlough based haulage firm, Gaughran Brothers Ltd, owner Dennis Gaughran described Mr Mooney as having been “a friend to everyone”.

In the wake of the terrible tragedy it had “been a rough few days” at Gaughran Brothers, he said.

“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,” wrote Mr Gaughan in a post shared the company’s social media page.

He said, when Mr Mooney first began working at Gaughan’s, he was “mainly working in McCann & Byrne in Athboy delivering to every hardware from Malin to Mizen” and especially loved travelling west to “Mayo and Achill Island where he would often bring Helen for a day or two”.

Mr Mooney worked in Gaughan’s garage for several years, fixing and servicing trucks and trailers. He was described as “always available” to get drivers going “no matter where in the country or whatever time it was".

It was a “love of the road” though that got Mr Mooney back driving again, for the likes of Ace corrugated, Extraterm, Glanbia and “anything and more that would fit in the rigid. Vincy was then asked would he drive a crane lorry in Chadwicks for us and he said he’d give it a go.”

Wherever the late Mr Mooney worked he was always sure to find friends “with his smile and can do attitude”, says Mr Gaughan

‘If it’s on, it's gone’

No job was too big or too small he continued. “‘Can you deliver this Vincy?’ and he’d say ‘can you get in on the lorry? If it’s on, it's gone’.”

An early riser, Mr Gaughan explained how Mr Mooney arrived at his first delivery often before the business was ready to open “no matter where it was. He had a great way with people with his friendly smile and polite manner. Lads would often enquire from me, ‘how’s Vincy doing?’”.

Mr Gaughan remembers with fondness the only time Mr Mooney drove an articulated unit rather than his favoured three or five-axle lorry. It was on his wedding day “when he took Helen to the church and off to the reception! Vincy loved Helen, his family, friends, a few drinks, music and the craic. He will be very sadly missed here in Gaughran’s and around Ballinlough. His son Thomas worked here for a couple of years before heading to Australia and then Michelle his daughter came into the office who, like her dad, does a fabulous job for us.”

Mr Gaughan signed off the post by writing: “Rest in Peace Vincy, heaven bound, hammer down, your shift is over.”

Carnaross GFC also posted their own tribute to Mr Mooney, explaining how the local community there had been left devastated by the loss.

A past player, the Meath club extended their deepest condolences to the Mooney and McLoughlin families.

“Vincy was the youngest of four. His brothers Seamus (Jim) and Tom (Toddy) have both represented the club. 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.”

They added: “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. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam uasal.”

The accident in Bailieborough is being investigated by both gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

Gardaí confirmed they attended the scene of the fatal workplace accident which claimed Mr Mooney’s life.

“A file will be prepared for the Coroners Court and the HSA will also complete their own investigation,” said a spokesperson for the An Garda Síochána.

A spokesperson for the HSA said that officers are also investigating the circumstances around Mr Mooney’s tragic passing.

In a statement they said: “The HSA are aware of this incident and have launched an investigation, as such no further information is available at this time.”