Latest news with #ITGWU
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Tributes to ‘respected' trade unionist who died after assault as funeral takes place
'GENTLEMAN' | There was a palpable sense of shock in the city following the well-known activist's death. Gardaí in Waterford are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of Pat Fitzgerald, following the incident at a residential property in Waterford city on Friday, August 1. Mr Fitzgerald of St Catherine's Grange, John's Hill and Avondale, and late of Slievekeale, had been a respected glass blower at Waterford Crystal in the city, and involved in trade unionism, having negotiated on behalf of 3,500 workers as a member of Unite in 2009. Mr Fitzgerald's remains will lie in repose at Tom Hennessy's Funeral Home in Johnstown, Waterford on Thursday from 5.30pm to 7pm. His funeral will take place at the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly in Waterford at noon on Friday with burial following in St Mary's Cemetery, Ballygunner, Waterford. Cllr Donal Barry paid his respects to his former colleague, describing him as highly respected among his peers. He recalled an astute and hard working man who put his colleagues first. 'I worked in part of the factory, and Pat was the full-time union convenor there in Waterford Crystal,' said Cllr Barry. At the peak of its employment the factory employed about 3,500 people forming an important part of the city's economic life. At the time, Mr Fitzgerald was a member of the ITGWU, which later became Unite trade union. 'Pat was a very, very clever gentleman,' said Cllr Barry. Pat Fitzgerald. 'He was a brilliant trade union official and he did an awful lot of good work for the workers in Waterford Crystal. He secured an awful lot of good terms and conditions for them. He was also a trustee of the pension fund there.' Mr Fitzgerald's wife died some years ago. There was a palpable sense of shock in the city following the well-known activist's death. 'For any person, especially an elderly gentleman, to die in such circumstances - it left an awful lot of shock over the bank holiday weekend when the news broke first that he was seriously injured, and then he unfortunately passed away on Sunday afternoon. People were very shocked,' added Cllr Barry. Condolences and sympathies have come in from far and wide for the trade unionist who played a key role in negotiating a fair deal for workers at Waterford Crystal. A former colleague at British Midland ATGWU, said: 'I met Pat in 2001 when he was a convener in Waterford Crystal and I was a shop steward in British Midland. 'The WC committee had invited us to meet to discuss our strike in Dublin Airport after which they donated to our strike fund, in spite of their own ongoing struggles. 'Pat hosted us for the duration, gave great advice and was incredibly generous and supportive of our efforts. He also gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the factory where we got a glimpse of the phenomenal talent and skill of the workers there. Pat Fitzgerald. News in 90 Seconds - Aug 7th 'I still have the little gift I received on that visit and I still often refer to our association with our colleagues in Waterford Crystal, and specifically Pat's kindness and hospitality. 'Our involvement was brief but made a lasting impression on me. I'm so very sorry to hear he has died and offer my sincere sympathies to his family, friends and his Waterford Crystal tribe.' Another friend wrote: 'Pat Fitzgerald, the union activist been a representative involved with the ATGWU and late Unite the Union, for a long time as one of the full-time trade union officials at Waterford Glass and late Waterford Crystal, holding the position of branch chairman and convenor has passed away. 'Over the past three decades up to the closure and the Waterford glass plant at Kilbarry and which saw the sacking by a receiver of hundreds of men and women, who had contributed greatly to the success that Waterford glass was, the late Pat Fitzgerald held the position of branch chairman of the old 11/64 branch. 'He was in that time a full time union convenor and prior would have been the blowing craft department union representative on the union branch of the ATGWU and late Unite the Union. 'I see where many tributes to him have appeared on social media and on the print media, since his death was announced publicly last evening. To his children, Wayne, Joanne and Karl, his mother, his grandchildren and family extended sincere sympathy. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dilis.' Friends of the family wrote: 'Our deepest sympathy to the extended Fitzgerald family on the passing of Pat. He was a person of principle, honour and integrity who was deeply committed to the trade union movement and represented the workforce of Waterford Crystal with distinction and he leaves behind a legacy that will endure forever. May Pat now rest in peace.' On Friday gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of the incident at a residential property in St Catherine's Grange shortly after 2pm. Mr Fitzgerald, aged in his 70s, was discovered at the scene with injuries and in an unresponsive condition. He was transported to University Hospital Waterford for treatment and was pronounced dead on Sunday, August 3. A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene during the incident and subsequently detained at a garda station within the Waterford-Kilkenny Division under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. He was later charged in relation to the investigation and appeared before Waterford District Court on Sunday, August 3. The local coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist were notified and a post mortem was carried out. A technical and forensic examination at the scene has been completed. A senior investigating officer (SIO) is leading the investigation and a family liaison officer (FLO) is providing support to the deceased's family. An incident room has been established at Waterford Garda Station. Investigating gardaí are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station 051 305 300 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Investigations are ongoing and further updates will follow, added a Garda spokesperson. The widower was predeceased by his wife Kathleen, his father Jack, brother Mark and nephew Luke. He is survived by his adult children Wayne, Joanne and Karl, his mother Maura, eight siblings, his four grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Man killed in Waterford was ‘respected' Waterford Crystal worker and trade unionist
Gardaí in Waterford are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of the victim, named locally as Pat Fitzgerald, following the incident at a residential property in Waterford city on Friday, August 1. Mr Fitzgerald had been a respected glass blower at Waterford Crystal in the city, and involved in trade unionism, having negotiated on behalf of 3,500 workers as a member of Unite in 2009. Independent Cllr Donal Barry paid his respects to his former colleague, describing him as highly respected among his peers. He recalled an astute and hard working man who put his colleagues first. 'I worked in part of the factory, and Pat was the full-time union convenor there in Waterford Crystal,' said Cllr Barry. At the peak of its employment the factory employed about 3,500 people forming an important part of the city's economic life. At the time, Mr Fitzgerald was a member of the ITGWU, which later became Unite trade union. 'Pat was a very, very clever gentleman,' said Cllr Barry. 'He was a brilliant trade union official and he did an awful lot of good work for the workers in Waterford Crystal. He secured an awful lot of good terms and conditions for them. He was also a trustee of the pension fund there.' Mr Fitzgerald's wife died some years ago. There was a palpable sense of shock in the city following the well-known activist's violent death. 'For any person, especially an elderly gentleman, to die in such circumstances - it left an awful lot of shock over the bank holiday weekend when the news broke first that he was seriously injured, and then he unfortunately passed away on Sunday afternoon. People were very shocked,' added Cllr Barry. Gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of the incident at a residential property in St Catherine's Grange shortly after 2pm on Friday. Mr Fitzgerald, aged in his 70s, was discovered at the scene with injuries and in an unresponsive condition. He was transported to University Hospital Waterford for treatment and was pronounced dead on Sunday, August 3. A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene during the incident and subsequently detained at a garda station within the Waterford-Kilkenny Division under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. He was later charged in relation to the investigation and appeared before Waterford District Court on Sunday, August 3. The local coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist have been notified and a post-mortem examination will be carried out. A technical and forensic examination at the scene has been completed. A senior investigating officer (SIO) is leading the investigation and a family liaison officer (FLO) is providing support to the deceased's family. An incident room has been established at Waterford Garda Station. Investigating gardaí are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station 051 305 300 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Investigations are ongoing and further updates will follow, added a Garda spokesperson. The widower was predeceased by his wife Kathleen, his father Jack, brother Mark and nephew Luke. He is survived by his adult children Wayne, Joanne and Karl, his mother Maura, eight siblings, his four grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and friends. Mr Fitzgerald will lie in repose at Tom Hennessy's Funeral Home in Johnstown, Waterford on Thursday from 5.30pm to 7pm. His funeral will take place at the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly in Waterford at noon on Friday with burial following in St Mary's Cemetery, Ballygunner, Waterford.
