‘A beloved husband and loving dad’ – heartbroken family pay tribute to builder who died in air crash tragedy
THE pilot of the light aircraft that was killed as he returned home to his county Kilkenny home for his daughter’s 18th birthday was an experienced flier who had flown over the area “hundreds of times”.
Well-known and popular builder Richard Dick O’Connell died in the accident that occurred at around 9pm on Friday just yards from his home in Gowran Cross.
He was flying a light aircraft over his home where his daughter’s 18th birthday party was taking place when eyewitnesses say the two-seater aircraft hit power lines seconds before it crashed into a field.
A post-mortem examination was carried out on the Mr O’Connell’s remains at University Hospital Waterford over the weekend.
Mr O’Connell, who was in his 50s, was a respected builder and was well known throughout the county for his skill in working with stone.
It is understood he was flying over his home taking photographs as his daughter, who had just completed her Leaving Cert, was celebrating her 18th birthday with friends below.
A neighbour was quoted in a weekend report as saying: “He would have flown over the area hundreds of times. The plane literally came down about 200 yards from the house after he flew into cabling. A nicer and fun-loving man you could not meet.”
Mr O’Connell’s heartbroken family paid tribute to the “beloved husband” and “loving dad” in his death notice over the weekend. His funeral details will be announced later.
Gardai and the Air Accident Investigations Unit have launched separate investigations into the tragedy.
Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or came on the scene in the moments afterwards to contact Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 777 5000.
PHOTO: Dylan Vaughan
