Second Brother Dies After Inhaling Sewer Fumes

Another cousin of Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane has died after being overcome by fumes while working in a sewer.

Stephen Harris died at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital at 9am on Friday morning.

The 34-year-old and his brother Alan were called to reports of a foul smell at a housing estate in the north of County Dublin on Wednesday afternoon.

The pair lost consciousness due to the presence of what is suspected to be methane gas while inspecting underground pipes on a housing estate in the Drumnigh Woods area of Portmarnock.

Alan, a father-of-two in his 40s, was the owner of DrainTech, a company specialising in drainage clearance and pipe and sewer unblocking.

He was pronounced dead in hospital on Wednesday, while Stephen had been in a serious condition after being rescued by firefighters.

Keane, who is expected to play in Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifying match against Scotland in Dublin, referred to the tragedy in a Facebook post before news emerged that Stephen Harris died.

The LA Galaxy striker wrote: "As you can imagine it's been a very difficult time for our family may Alan RIP and we continue to pray for Stephen thanks everyone for your kind messages and support."

Later, Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill said the footballer was feeling "quite down" after Stephen's death.

"Obviously very bad news this morning as well too so he's not great, I must admit," he said.

"Obviously we feel for the family."

Alan's widow, Tracy Glynn Harris, wrote on the social media site that she has lost her "best friend and soulmate".

"My heart has been shattered into a million places yet again," she wrote.

The Garda and the Health and Safety Authority are investigating the incident.

As well as investigating whether the men were overcome by methane gas in a confined space, the probes will also look into what breathing apparatus was available to them.