Cootehill man dies in mine explosion

A Cavan man has been killed in a mine explosion, which took place in Australia on Tuesday morning.

Ambrose McMullen, locally known as 'Ambie', from Cootehill was one of the two people who lost their lives in the incident. The explosion took place at the Endeavor mine in Cobar, about 700km (435 miles) northwest of Sydney in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The 59 year old had been living in Australia with his wife Regina, who is from Edenderry, and their four boys - Darragh, Conor, Tadgh and Oisín.

He is fondly remembered in Cootehill as a skilled footballer, having played for the Cootehill Celtic team and for the county at minor and senior level before moving to Australia. Ambie would have celebrated his 60th birthday on February 4 next year.

Cllr Carmel Brady said she was "very very saddened" to hear the news, and told the Celt she attended school in Cootehill with Ambie.

"I'm sending sympathy to the family," she stated.