The body of the mineworker killed in an underground rockfall on Thursday (4th April) in the Lisheen Mine, Co. Tipperary, will be repatriated to his native Philippines this week. The body of Mario Francis (49) was finally recovered on Saturday night. Prior to Mario's body being repatriated respects can be paid at: Doyle’s Funeral Home, Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, Tuesday, 9th April, at 5.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Commemoration Mass in the Church Of The Assumption, Urlingford, on Wednesday, 10th April, at 11.30 a.m. SIPTU members at the Lisheen Mine have expressed their sympathy to Mario’s wife wife My-Ann, their sons Jomar (9) and Jolrem (5,) and his children from a previous marriage in the Philippines, Julemar (22) and Mario Jnr (15).Mario, who worked at the lead and zinc mine for over 12 years and lived in nearby Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny, died when rocks fell on the loader vehicle he was driving in a section of tunnel on Thursday afternoon.SIPTU Organiser, John Regan, said: “Mario’s death has left his work colleagues in shock and underlines the dangerous nature of work underground. On behalf of SIPTU members in the Mining Sector and the wider trade union movement I would like to express sympathy to Mario’s wife and children.“Mario and his family came from the Philippines to make a new life in Ireland. In these tragic circumstances, Mario’s family will be offered all the support possible by his SIPTU colleagues and the wider trade union community.”
Body of miner killed in rock fall to be repatriated to the Philippines
