Two building workers were killed when they were trapped in a 12ft deep trench while laying pipes in a housing estate at Ballymany, Newbridge, Co Kildare, yesterday.
The deaths bring to 14 the number of fatalities on building sites so far this year. Last night SIPTU called for more stringent measures to improve health and safety on construction sites.
The men were Mr Sean Treacy, of The Heath, Portlaoise, Co Laois, who was in his 50s, and Mr Robert Dunne, of Coilldubh, Robertstown, Co Kildare, who was in his 30s. Both were single.
Two other workers who were at the top of the trench slipped into the hole when the soil gave way. However, they managed to scramble to safety. They were treated for shock. The housing estate, Ballymany Manor, is on the outskirts of Newbridge, at the Kildare end.
Sgt Clive Derham, of Newbridge, said the men were digging the trench and laying the pipes when "a huge amount of earth", a kind of dry cement, collapsed on top of them. The accident happened at about 3.30 p.m. The rescue services arrived but it was 45 minutes before the men were taken out.
Mr Eric Fleming, of the construction branch of SIPTU, who arrived after the accident, said the number of deaths on building sites was increasing all the time. While he did not know the full details of this accident, he called on the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, to draw up a plan to immediately increase safety on building sites.
Employers and unions should come together to "stop this mayhem on building sites".
He said employers were constantly refusing to sit down with unions to draw up an action plan to prevent accidents. "The Minister will have to review the fines and penalties that are being dished out in regard to serious accidents. Some deterrent will have to be introduced. What has been done to date is not enough. There are many building sites which should be looked at."