Two Limerick men were electrocuted when a portable light they were moving came into contact with overhead power lines, an inquest has heard.
Father of three Tom Liston (41), Croagh, and Niall Fitzpatrick (36), Broadford, who was engaged to be married, died of cardiac failure after they both suffered massive electric shock.
The accident happened shortly after 5pm last November 14th when the men and a number of others were moving the portable light across a field.
The field was being used as a car-park for the wake of car-crash victim Billy Sheahan (21) in Askeaton, Co Limerick.
Addressing the inquest yesterday into the deaths of the two men, Garda Arthur Dennehy said that when he arrived at the scene there were about 16 people gathered around them.
They were both unconscious and two others, who appeared to have less serious injuries, were being treated as well on the field.
Garda Dennehy evacuated the area, except for people administering first aid, and a doctor and ambulance then arrived and took the injured to the Mid-West Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle.
Attempts to resuscitate both men were unsuccessful.
Sgt Derek Smart told the inquest that Mr Liston's brother Séamus (47) and his son Robert (16) were also treated for burns on their hands and feet.
At the scene, he noticed three power lines running across the field some 7.9m off the ground.
A verdict of accidental death, in accordance with medical evidence, was recorded by county coroner Dr Tony Casey.
Dr Casey also recommended that caution should be used whenever such tower lights and other mobile electrical equipment are being moved.
The deaths, following the car accident that killed Mr Sheahan some days earlier, shocked the west Limerick communities in the run-up to Christmas.