Efforts are resuming this morning to recover the body of a man who was killed in a mining accident in Co Tipperary.

Mario Francis, a married father of two, was driving a loader when it became trapped in a shaft after a rockfall at the Lisheen lead and zinc mine near Thurles on Thursday evening.

Mr Francis and his family came to Ireland from the Philippines a number of years ago and had been living in Urlingford, Kilkenny. He had worked at the mine for over 12 years.

While the cause of the collapse is not yet known, it is expected that three separate investigations into the incident will be launched in the coming days.

SIPTU members at the Lisheen Mine have expressed their sympathy to the family of Mario Francis.

SIPTU Organiser, John Regan, said his death has left his work colleagues in shock. He has also underlined the dangerous nature of underground work.

Yesterday, a prayer service was lead by the Parish priest of Moyne at Lisheen Mine and many of Mr Francis's 400 co-workers were in attendence to pay tribute to their colleague.