Family pay tribute as Kildare father-of-two who died in Westmeath helicopter crash named

One of the two men killed in yesterday's helicopter crash in Co Westmeath has been named as Niall Crosby from Glenageary in Dublin.

Mr Crosby, a married father of two, was a founder of AG Grid, a software company based in London. In a statement his family said he “deeply missed” by his loving wife Jillian, his adored children Thomas and Robin, and his wide circle of family and friends.

Niall, who was originally from Straffan, Co Kildare, had recently returned to Dublin in recent years to raise his family with his wife Jillian.

"Niall's family would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with their condolences over the past extraordinarily difficult 24 hours.

"They would like to particularly thank the first responders and the various authorities who have been so understanding and professional.

"And they would like to especially thank the local communities of Killucan and Raharney for their thoughts and prayers.

"We also have a special thought for Niall’s co-pilot and his family at this tragic time," the spokesperson said.

Mr Crosby previously posted on social media that he was learning to fly helicopters and was aiming to get his pilot’s licence.

The second man killed has also been identified as Antonín Kabelka (40s), from the Czech Republic, who worked as a helicopter flight trainer in Prague.

The two men were killed when their helicopter came down on the roof of a piggery in the Joristown townland. Gardaí are liaising with Mr Crosby’s family.

The two men were the only occupants of the helicopter, and were pronounced dead at the scene. Both bodies were removed from the scene to Regional Hospital Mullingar for postmortems.

The flight originated at Dublin’s Weston Airport, according to flight data, and the helicopter had been in the air for some 25 minutes when the crash occurred.

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