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Electric shock kills teacher at gig
A 27-year-old teacher and musician from Burnt Oak has died after being electrocuted when plugging in his guitar before a pub gig on Saturday night.
Andrew McGoldrick, from Blundell Road, was on stage at the James Joyce pub in Kenton Road, Kenton, about to perform for the first time with his band The Dirty Do Goods, when the accident happened.
Wembley police say they are not treating the incident as suspicious, but Brent Council's environmental department are investigating the accident from a health and safety perspective.
Mr McGoldrick worked as a support teacher for disaffected pupils at Copland Community School in Wembley and at Mpower, an education centre in Harlesden, teaching music and media. He also ran a promotions company for budding musicians and regularly played football at the Mill Hill Powerleague centre, in Pursley Road.
Copland's deputy head teacher, Richard Evans, said: "It is an enormous loss to the school. He had been here since 2003, was part of the community and was well liked by students and staff alike.
"He worked with disaffected students, and helped them through many obstacles. He was enthusiastic, and had a great love for his job.
"We are all devastated. People had been with him on Friday and some of the staff would have been at his gig when the tragic accident happened.
"He was full of life and a key part of the staff room.
"The students are distraught. When you see a member of staff who had been full of life, then the next week they are gone, the loss is devastating."
Mr McGoldrick's best friend, Kevin Lynch, 27, said: "He was an absolute legend and will be missed by everyone who has ever been lucky enough to meet him.
"He was the best man I've ever met; he would have done anything for me or anyone remotely close to him.
"He didn't have a harmful bone in his body. He knew so many people through football and music, and everyone thought he was great.
"Above all, he loved his
family."
Andrew played with a number of bands, most recently The Dirty Do Goods.
Saturday's performance would have been his first gig with the band.
As well as running a promotions company for budding musicians, Andrew, who lived in Blundell Road, Burnt Oak, was a support teacher at Copland Community School in Cecil Avenue, Wembley.
He also spent two days a week at Mpower, an education centre in Harlesden, teaching disaffected teenagers music and media.
Holding back her tears, his friend and colleague at Copland, Fiona O'Sullivan, 25, said: "He was the children's friend and they loved him dearly.
"If it weren't for him they would not have enjoyed school.
"The children were told in assembly on Monday and were very upset."
Deputy head Richard Evans said: "It is an enormous loss to the school.
"He had been here since 2003, was part of the community and was well liked by students and staff alike.
"He worked with disaffected students and helped them through all the obstacles. He was enthusiastic and had a great love for his job.
"We are all devastated. People had been with him on Friday and some of the staff would have been at his gig when the tragic accident happened.
"He was full of life and a key part of the staff room.
"The students are distraught. When you see a member of staff who had been full of life, then the next week they are gone, the loss is devastating."
An accomplished sportsman, Andrew played Gaelic football for a number of years.
Andrew is survived by his father Eugene, mother Elma and sister Siobhan.
A memorial service will be held tonight at the Catholic Church of the Annunciation, in Thurley Road, Burnt Oak, at 6.30pm.
His funeral will be held in Ireland next week.
7:19am Friday 21st July 2006
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