A 59-year-old man from Cootehill, Co Cavan, has died in an underground mining explosion in Australia.
The blast occurred in the early hours of this morning at the Endeavor mine in Cobar, New South Wales.
Ambrose Patrick McMullen, known locally as “Ambie”, was one of two fatalities. He had been living in Australia with his wife and family for several years.
Tributes are being paid in Cootehill.
New South Wales Police said emergency services were called at about 3.45am local time after reports of two people critically injured in a workplace incident.
Officers from the Central North Police District attended and confirmed one man had died at the scene.
Two women were brought to the surface; one later died, while the second was airlifted to hospital with hearing damage and shock.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner and assist the workplace health and safety investigation.
