Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority are investigating the death of a man at the Corrib gas pipeline work site in Aughoose, north Mayo earlier today.
The man is understood to have been working in the tunnel under Sruwaddacon estuary, where a boring machine is laying the route for last section of the gas pipeline between Glengad and Ballinaboy.
Shell E&P Ireland confirmed that there had been one fatality, but could not comment further until relatives have been informed.
Contractors at the site BAM Civil and Wayss & Freytag said the man, a German national, was working for subcontractor Herrenknecht. Operations were immediately suspended at the site following the incident.
Management and staff of Wayss & Freytag and BAM Civil expressed their sincere condolences to the family of the man.
The controversial Corrib gas field lies about 80km off the north-west coast of Ireland and the onshore pipeline works is the final phase of the scheme to be completed.The 4.9km Corrib tunnel will run under Sruwaddacon Bay to the Bellanaboy Gas Processing Terminal. (Additional reporting PA)
