A dad who died when his small plane crashed was on the way to his daughter’s 18th birthday party.
A postmortem is to be carried out on the body of a father-of-three died Dick O’Connell, who was in his 50s.
The light aircraft he was piloting came down in Gowran, Co Kilkenny, at around 9pm on Friday.
The plane plunged into a field close to the back of his house where the family celebration was being held.
It is believed several of the guests witnessed the horror unfold as the aircraft crashed near trees and power poles. It is not clear if it hit power lines.
Party goers and several locals rushed to the site of the crash close to the Gowran Park racecourse.
Despite efforts to save the pilot’s life he died a short time later. There was no one else in the aircraft .
Mr OConnell was taken to St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny city. A postmortem will take place at University Hospital Waterford.
Gardai from Thomastown and Kilkenny city along with fire units and several ambulances remained at the scene for several hours.
Officers spoke with many of the guests at the house, who remained to comfort Mr O’Connell’s wife, two daughters and son.
A local woman who knew the crash victim said: “He was a very respected man who was known around the county for his skills as a builder, who worked a lot with stone.
"He was very talented and so many people will be so shocked over what has happened and upset for his family.
“To witness a crash like that at a birthday party is absolutely horrific.”
The Air Accident Investigations Unit (AAIU) was advised by gardai of the incident and have sent a team of experts to the crash site.
The light aircraft remains at the scene to allow for technical examination by AAIU engineers, specialists and gardai.
Gardai are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or came on the scene in the moments afterwards to contact them on 056 7775000.
