Dad & daughter, 50s & 20s, killed in horror workplace accident at Offaly industrial plant as local community ‘shocked’

A FATHER and daughter were killed in a workplace incident at a concrete manufacturing facility today.

The emergency services and Gardai were called to the scene of the accident on the industrial premises in Banagher, Co Offaly at around 11.40am this morning.

Gardai stated that a man in his 50s and a woman in her 20s were pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore at a later date.

It is believed the man and woman who were killed at Banagher Precast Concrete are from Romania.

They are understood to have been working at the plant in Banagher for a number of years.

Staff are understood to be in deep shock at the tragic death of their colleagues.

The Health and Safety Authority said it is aware of the fatal incident at the industrial premises in Banagher and has launched an investigation.

The HSA said in a statement: “The Health and Safety Authority is aware of the incident and has launched an investigation.

“As such, no further information is available at this time”

Local Councillor John Reilly said the whole area is shocked at the incident.

He said: “When any fatalities take place in an area like this it’s so sad and everybody in the area knows of Banagher Concrete.

“There isn’t one person who hasn’t got a family member working there, whether it be full time or during the summer, so when something like this happens everyone is shocked.

“It’s a big workforce and a community within itself so it’s very sad and is going to hit everybody.

“It’s very sad especially when it could possibly be two members of the same family.”

A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí and emergency services responded to a fatal workplace accident at an industrial premises in Banagher, Co Offaly, on Monday, 28th September, 2026, at approximately 11.40am.

“Two people, a male aged in his 50s and a female aged in her 20s, were pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Banagher Precast Concrete issued a statement following the tragedy and said its Board of Directors, management team and employees extended their “deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences” to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have died.

While the circumstances of the incident are not yet fully known, the company said it was “a devastating tragedy for everyone connected with our company”.

The company said it will cooperate fully with all statutory bodies and provide whatever assistance is required as part of the investigation being carried out into the deaths.

It also stated the safety of its staff has always been a core value and is embedded throughout its daily operations as it described an incident of this severity as “unprecedented”.

The concrete company, which is well-known in the area, has asked that the privacy of the families involved as well as those who knew the deceased to be respected.