Elderly man crushed to death as wall collapses in garden

The 72-year-old was killed instantly in the horrific accident at his home near St Patrick’s Quay in Bandon, Co Cork, yesterday afternoon.

The victim, named locally as retired carpenter Billy O’Driscoll, was married with six grown-up children and grandchildren.

The alarm was raised by family members who desperately tried to get the rubble off him, assisted by neighbours.

The wall that runs at the back of the houses is described as being around 30ft tall on that side but only a few feet high from the footpath.

Gardai said the man was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to Cork University Hospital where a post-mortem will be carried out.

An investigation into the accident is being carried out by both the gardai and the Health and Safety Authority to try to establish what caused part of the wall to collapse.

Bandon councillor James O’Donovan said people were shocked by the tragedy, with local people calling to the O’Driscoll home, offering support and condolences.

He said only recently, the town had been deeply saddened by the death of Paudie Kelly (23) in August, who was killed in a road traffic accident.

“For another tragedy like this to happen does not help,” Mr O’Donovan said.