READ MORE- Investigation into Cork airport airplane crash launched
The investigation continues into the fatal plan crash at Cork Airport on Thursday morning which claimed six lives. Investigators are confident that the initial report into the incident will be published within a month. Both the black box and the voice pit recorder have been taken to Dublin where specialists will examine their records.
Details of the victims of Thursday’s plane crash have been named. All six victims were male. The pilot was named as Jordi Lopez, a Spanish national. The co-pilot was 27-year-old Andrew Cantle, originally from the UK. The four passengers who died were Richard Noble from Derbyshire; Pat Cullinan, from Belfast; Michael Evans, from Belfast; and Brendan McAleese, from Tanaghmore, Co Antrim.
Pat Cullinan was from Plumbridge in Co. Tyrone. A senior partner with KPMG, he originally joined the Belfast office in 1989. He went on to work in the London and Dublin office but moved back to Belfast in 2005.
KPMG’s managing partner Terence O’Rourke said: “Pat was an extremely talented professional and a real gentleman. He was highly regarded by all of his colleagues and clients and his tragic and untimely death has come as a shock to everyone in the firm, especially to those in our Belfast office and to all who knew Pat as an exceptional friend and colleague.”
Brendan McAleese was married with two children. He was a first cousin of Dr. Martin McAleese, husband of the Irish President, Mary McAleese. He was the managing director of a successful Tyron-based company that worked in cleaning services and hiring work clothing.
Paying tribute to her husband’s cousin, Mary McAleese said that she was also bereaving the loss of a family member.
“I am especially conscious of the pain being experienced tonight by all of the bereaved as one of the deceased was Brendan McAleese, my husband Martin’s cousin,” she said.
“His family have lost a fine and loving husband, father, son and brother and their awful grief is replicated in the lives of all those who lost their loved ones in today’s crash. No words can ease their pain but I hope they draw some small comfort from knowing that our thoughts and prayers, both here and in homes throughout the country, are with them at this darkest hour.”
Captain Michael Evans was the deputy harbor master at Belfast port. He was originally from the UK. He was married with a family. He specialized in conservancy, increasing recreational usage and event management.
Harbour master Kevin Allen said: “We’re all devastated by the news of Michael’s death. He was phenomenally committed to his job and to his colleagues, helping ensure that the harbour stayed open to shipping every hour of every day.” He added: “Michael was tremendous fun and unique to work with, and was well known and respected throughout the shipping industry. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Andrea, and family.”
Cork airport reopened on Friday afternoon.
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