Partner of critically ill Coalisland man Niall O'Neill asks for 'your prayers'

His partner Anne Murray, 27, has thanked people for their “kind texts and phone calls” on Facebook and asked the community to “please, please keep him in your prayers that he soon starts to get better”.

The young dad-of-three was said to have been working in a cage attached to a forklift at a business in the Coalisland area, when it fell to the ground, seriously injuring him.

The 31-year-old remains in intensive care, and his cousin, Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has said it is a devastating time for the family.

She told the Irish News: “He is a really good person who would do anything for anybody. He’s a great lad.

“All our focus and energy is on being there to support Niall. Everyone is hoping and praying that he comes through it.

“It’s extremely sad and it’s devastating for the family. Everybody is just hoping for the best.”

While the incident was initially to be investigated by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, it has now been passed to Mid Ulster District Council because the business involved is retail.

A spokesperson for Mid Ulster Council said: “Environmental Health is investigating the incident.”