A man who died following a serious assault in Waterford had been a highly respected trade union leader.
Pat Fitzgerald, who was in his 70s, was found with injuries at a home in Waterford city on Friday.
He was taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment but was pronounced deceased on Sunday.
A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged. He appeared before Waterford District Court on Sunday.
Mr Fitzgerald has been described as “highly respected and astute”, a man who worked hard for his community.
Originally working as a glass blower in Waterford Crystal, he became the fulltime union convenor for the company’s workforce of some 3,500 people.
He was highly respected by everyone there – workers and management, independent local councillor Donal Barry, who worked with Mr Fitzgerald at Waterford Crystal, said.
“He was the best we ever had,” Mr Barry said.
“He was highly respected by everyone in the company.
“He was well-known and very highly thought of.
“People are shocked and saddened by the news,” Mr Barry said.
Mr Fitzgerald fought for Waterford Crystal’s workforce when the iconic Irish company went bankrupt during the financial crash.
A man in his 30s was charged in relation to the investigation and appeared before Waterford District Court on Sunday, August 3.
He was involved with the union Unite when workers occupied the Waterford city plant after receiver Deloitte tried to close the factory in 2009.
The sit-in made international news and inspired a documentary.
A €10m payment to workers later that year ended the sit-in.
Mr Fitzgerald died violently, it is suspected.
Gardaí in Waterford are investigating all circumstances surrounding his death.
Gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of an incident at a home in St Catherine’s Grange shortly after 2:00pm on Friday.
“A male in his 70s was discovered at the scene with injuries and in an unresponsive condition,” a garda statement said.
“A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene during the incident and subsequently detained at a Garda station within the Waterford-Kilkenny Division under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. He was later charged in relation to the investigation and appeared before Waterford District Court on Sunday, 3rd August 2025.”
The local Coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist have been notified and a post-mortem examination will be carried out. A technical and forensic examination at the scene has been completed.
A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) is leading the investigation and a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) is providing support to the deceased’s family. An incident room has been established at Waterford Garda Station.
Investigating Gardaí are appealing for witnesses.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station 051 305 300 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.