Wife pays tribute to “her rock” after New Year’s Eve tragedy

Eamonn Hassan of Townhill Road, Rasharkin, became trapped under a vehicle he was working on at around 2pm on Saturday.

He died instantly.

The 51-year-old’s wife Ann came upon her husband and alerted the emergency services.

“He was working under a vehicle just behind our house,” Mrs Hassan said.

“He must have been tinkering about, whatever he was working at in below.

“The jack or that must have fallen, I’m not 100 percent sure of the actual circumstances.

“It seemed to be a low-loader and one of the sides collapsed or something.

“He had been on his own until I went out, I was the first person there.”

Mr Hassan was born in Aghadowey but moved to Rasharkin when he married Ann 31 years ago.

The popular builder - who ran a successful construction firm, EC Hassan - turned 51 on December 21.

The couple have three children - Natasha (26), Francesca (22) and Saoirse (16).

Mrs Hassan described her husband as “her rock” and said he was always willing to help anyone in any way he could.

“If a complete stranger asked him for help or if he even noticed somebody needing help he would of been there to help them,” she said.

“He was always working.

“He was gathering up wee horses and a couple of cattle.

“He was an all-round gentleman and while he was always working he would have kept a nation going at the same time.

“He loved his family. Tragedy has touched our family so many times.

“Eamonn was always there for me when there were deaths in my family and I will miss him so much.”

Prayers were offered for Mr Hassan at Masses in the area on Saturday evening.

A friend described Mr Hassan as a workaholic who was very well liked in the community.

“He will be missed by many people. It’s a real tragedy for his family,” he said.

Mr Hassan’s funeral is taking place this morning (Tuesday) from his home to St. Mary’s Church, Rasharkin, where Requiem Mass is being held. He will be buried in the adjoining cemetery.

Police have said that the Health and Safety Executive is investigating the accident.