Barry Breslin’s fiancee, family thank supporters as GoFundMe for late Irish national soars past $586,000

The heartbroken fiancee of a popular Irish national killed in a workplace tragedy in Perth’s north says she is “truly thankful” for the support that has poured in from across the globe.

Barry Breslin, 35, suffered fatal injuries during road works at a Mitchell Fwy exit in Greenwood just before 12pm on Thursday.

News of the “beloved” father’s death quickly made its way to his native Ireland, triggering a wave of tributes across social media.

And a GoFundMe set up in his honour has taken off, with more than $586,000 raised to relieve the financial burden on his family, including his partner Melissa Taheny and son Tommy.

“I would like to thank everyone for the donations and support in this difficult time - it’s been amazing,” Taheny and the Breslin family said in a statement to 7NEWS.com.au.

“We’re truly thankful.”

Family friend Aisling McDermott said Breslin was a “big friendly guy” and one of the “most genuine people I’ve ever met”.

“He was always there for those who knew him and needed him,” she told 7NEWS.com.au.

Her sentiments were similar to those shared on social media and the online fundraiser for Breslin, who moved to Perth in 2011 from Straleel, Kilcar.

“Duke was one in a million. He was a family man at heart and a loyal friend to many around him,” the crowdfunding page reads.

“He will be sadly missed but not forgotten.”

Breslin was working on the smart freeway project when he was critically injured, the WA branch of the CFMEU said.

The machine operator sustained serious head injuries and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital, where he died.

“We know that the incident involved an excavator and lifting equipment (but) we’re not going to speculate on the tragic circumstances until we have the facts,” the union said on Thursday.

“All we know is that a worker tragically did not return home.”

The union said Breslin’s death was the 10th fatality at a construction site in WA in 2024.

WorkSafe is investigating and a report will be prepared for the coroner.