Clonmel firefighter Paddy Pyke was one of the many emergency service workers out during Storm Ophelia to try and keep the South East safe.
When he was called to a serious accident on Monday between Ardfinnan and Cahir, he soon realised that it was his first cousin Michael who had been fatally injured.
Michael suffered head injuries when he was struck by a branch from an overhanging tree while clearing a fallen tree from the road.
Paddy, who is Sub Officer at Clonmel Fire Station, told Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late that Michael was "a gentle giant. He wouldn't need to know your name - he'd help you. It didn't matter who you were. And on that day, Michael was out trying to help."
Clonmel Firefighter Paddy Pyke went to help during Storm #Ophelia but arrived to find that his cousin Michael Pyke had been killed #latelate pic.twitter.com/Da4VqVoCXA
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) October 20, 2017
