Tributes reach ‘respected’ builder and ‘worker’ killed after building partially collapsed in Kerry

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TRIBUTES poured in for a “highly respected” and “hardworking” builder who died after a building partially collapsed this morning.

Tom Ross, 60, was renovating a former property on Ashe Street in Tralee, Co Kerry with up to five other men when the tragedy struck.

Several people were injured in the incident

The chimney section in the center of the building is believed to have collapsed, crushing and killing Tom.

The other men were rushed to Kerry University Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

The Irish Sun understands that Ross owned his own construction company and specialized in repairing old buildings.

Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae said the entire county was in shock after the tragedy.

He told The Irish Sun: “The entire city and the entire county is devastated by this shocking accident.

COUNTY IN SURPRISE

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, relatives, and friends of those killed and affected by this accident.

“Our thoughts are with them during this dire and horrendous time. I want to thank the emergency services who acted very quickly to try to help and all the people who took action so quickly.

“The gardai, the ambulance staff, the fire department, they all did everything they could in such a fast way.

“From my personal point of view, there is something tremendously sad about a person getting up in the morning to go to work and ending up dying at work.

“It’s a terrible thing to happen.”

HIGHLY RESPECTED

Former Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris said he knew Ross very well and had been involved in the construction industry his entire life.

Martin said: “They were renovating an old building. It was an old fireplace that had to be preserved and they had it propped up but something happened and it crushed Tom Ross.

“I knew him very well. A lovely guy. A hardworking man all his life. He’s been involved in the construction trade all his life.

“Every day of life that he worked, I would say. He was highly respected and highly regarded and it was a pleasure to know. “

Councilman Sam Locke called Ross’s experience renovating older buildings “second to none” adding that he completed several jobs on Castle Street and in the The Mall area of the city.

Sam said: “He was quite a big man and he would stand out from the crowd, he was a well bearded man and he had long hair.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the man in a suit, he was always on his work team. His hard boots, I don’t think the man has ever worn a long sleeve. I think the man worked seven days a week. He was a great worker. “