Tributes paid to man who suffered fatal fall on Wexford street – ‘He was a real gentle soul’

Aged in his 60s, Pat Carroll had been living in the flats on George’s Street and is believed to have been making his way home following a night out when gardaí believe he fell, causing himself serious injuries in the process.

The father and grandfather was discovered unconscious on the footpath of the Wexford Street, a stone’s throw from the Main Street, by two passers-by who immediately intervened and called an ambulance. They also reportedly administered CPR to the stricken man as his pulse began to fade.

Mr Carroll was rushed to Wexford General Hospital for further treatment, but sadly he was to pass away from his injuries.

Initially, gardaí refused to rule out foul play as it was unclear exactly what happened. However, later on Monday morning, Supt Jarlath Duffy of Wexford Garda station confirmed that, having analysed CCTV footage, they were not treating the Mr Carroll’s death as suspicious and were working on the belief that it was a tragic accident.

Originally from the Wellingtonbridge area, Pat was a regular at the nearby McGee’s pub and was remembered by those who knew him as a great storyteller and a generous man.

Among those deeply saddened by the news was Aontú councillor Jim Codd who counted Mr Carroll as a friend.

"I knew Pat Carroll very well and I was proud to call him a friend,” he said. “He was a kind-hearted man and there wasn’t a bad stroke in him. He was a gentle soul and he was known for his kindness and his sense of humour.

"I had the privilege of teaching Pat’s sons at Bridgetown College over the years and they picked up a lot of his lovely traits. It’s very sad news.”

Mr Carroll was also described as a “community minded person” and was involved in several St Patrick’s Day Parades in the Carrig on Bannow area, as well as taking part in a massive fundraiser in 1998, to mark the anniversary of the 1798 rebellion, which saw him and a team of other men pull a cannon all the way from Wexford to Dublin for charity.

"Pat was as strong as an ox,” Cllr Codd said. “He often told me that he pulled the cannon over the bridge in Arklow by himself. That was something he was very proud of. He really was a gentle giant.”

Pat worked in steel erection, a trade which took him as far as Libya and other parts of North Africa. His experiences made for great stories, which he often recounted on a high stool to eager listeners.

"He was just great company,” Cllr Codd concluded. “He did no human being a bad turn. He was just a gentle, unassuming and generous man who took pleasure in helping others. I’m shocked and saddened by his passing.”

Mr Carroll was an old school mate of former publican Jim McGee, who described him as “a loyal friend” and “the most generous man I knew”.

Another tribute posted online came from All-Ireland winning hurler with Wexford’s famous 1996 team, Larry O’Gorman who described Mr Carroll as “a great character and a lovely man”.

"I always loved having a drink and a good chat with him,” he said.

Pat was the beloved father of Dwayne, Lance and Kevin and brother of John, Mary, Fintan and Matty. He is sadly missed by his sons, brothers, sister, grandchildren Ava and Sophie, nephews, nieces and extended family and friends.

Mr Carroll’s remains will repose at Ryan's Funeral Home, Wellingtonbridge, on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and his removal will take place on Friday, May 3, to the Church of the Assumption, Little Cullenstown for funeral mass at 10.30 a.m. followed by burial in the new cemetery in Clongeen.