Offaly mourners told father, daughter had 'special bond'

The funeral mass of the father and daughter who died in a workplace accident at Banagher Precast Concrete in Co Offaly earlier this week has heard how they had a "special bond".

Mihai Chinez, aged 49, and his 24-year-old daughter Denisa Chinez, originally from Romania, had worked at the company for a number of years.

Fr Pat Kiernan told those gathered at St Rynagh's Church in Banagher that the father and daughter had lived side by side and worked side by side and now their coffins lay side by side.

Fr Kiernan said that a "single devastating moment in an honest day’s work" had taken the lives of Mihai and his daughter Denisa.

He said that last Monday was Mihai and his wife Angela’s 26th wedding anniversary and also his mother’s 87th birthday.

The congregation heard that during a morning break last Monday Mihai told his family at the canteen table that they would get cake after work to celebrate the special day.

He had been sitting with Denisa, his wife Angela, and Denisa’s fiancé Liviu Blaj, who all worked at the plant.

'Little did they know it would be their last supper'

"Little did they know, it would be their last supper, their last time together to sit at a table," said Fr Keirnan.

"No cake, no candles, no celebrations. Rather, cries of anguish, wooden coffins, and books of condolences," he said.

Fr Keirnan spoke of the devastation that descended on the factory and later the community.

"The bright morning sunshine faded as clouds of darkness, devastation, shock, profound grief, and sadness descended upon the factory yard, and soon enveloped the town and surrounding community.

"It was like a tsunami that stunned everyone and every street into silence and shock.

"A good, decent family, willing and wanting to work, anxious to make progress and to improve their lives, were abruptly stopped in their tracks."

'They shared the quiet pride of hard work together'

Fr Keirnan spoke of the special bond between the father and daughter which saw them sharing their morning walk to work, and then "lifting, cleaning and preparing moulds together".

"They shared the quiet pride of hard work together" the church heard.

"Their bond was not just a blood relationship, it was a daily routine of love and affection, a daily rhythm of companionship and friendship."

The congregation heard that Denisa was "always cheerful, happy and good-humoured" and "possessed a big, generous heart".

She had a strong faith and recently was making every effort to get Lourdes holy water.

Those gathered heard how Mihai was "a hardworking man, a good father and a loyal friend" who wanted to "make life better for his wife and family".

Following the funeral mass, Denisa was laid to rest in St Rynagh’s Cemetery.

Mihai’s cremation will take place tomorrow and his ashes to be interred with his daughter at a later date.