The Dew Drop Inn ERC 2012 Commemorative Pub, Dublin

First topic message reminder :

Sláinte and welcome to the Virtual Rugby Pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat. The Pub has followed the victorious Leinster team home after last week's Heineken Cup final for a liver-busting celebration.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the picture of the late Simon "Human Windmill" Pitney or those of all the HEC and Amlin Cup finalists.



Old Pub: https://www.606v2.com/t29248p950-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-hec-final-rugby-pub-twickenham#1243723

Meaningful_Munster wrote:Hello.
My brother eirebilly posts here a lot and i just wanted to let you know that the helicopter taking him and his colleagues to a rig ditched this morning. Alec is in hospital in critical condintion.

Shoite, Meaningful, that's terrible news, feic

Jesus, thanks for letting us know thats horrible to hear.

Ahh no!! I've never met Billy/Alec but he's one of my favourite people on here!

I am devestated to hear this. Best wishes and my thoughts are with him and his friends and family.

Get well soon Billy.

Rodney.

Meaningful_Munster wrote:Hello.
My brother eirebilly posts here a lot and i just wanted to let you know that the helicopter taking him and his colleagues to a rig ditched this morning. Alec is in hospital in critical condintion.

I am very sorry to hear this, will you please keep us updated.

Well obviously not hughie, hes critical.


My thoughts are with him and ill be wishing and hoping that he is ok

Stunned can't believe it, was just bantering with him yesterday. Seems like a great bloke. Hope he's ok.

Thankyou all. I am at his house now and will go visit him soon to hear about the full extent of his injuries. I will also ask his employers to fly Toril in to be by his side.

I gave him shoyte last night for not visiting me when he was in SA.

Meaningful_Munster wrote:Thankyou all. I am at his house now and will go visit him soon to hear about the full extent of his injuries. I will also ask his employers to fly Toril in to be by his side.

Ah she's not even with him. Must be awful on her.

Thanks MM best wishes mate, genuinely

Should we post anything on the boards?

rodders I think billy is loved by many posters here so perhaps it would be good if you open a thread in the international section as it is the busiest section, I will put it in a sticky then.

Jesus. that's horrendous. Poor Alec.

I hope they don't fly Toril out, that would mean its not to serious. Really hope he's ok

Christ! That's such bad news. I'm stunned. I pray he recovers.

https://www.606v2.com/t30132-eirebilly

Sorry I'm still stunned and lost for words. If someone can articulate things a bit better then feel free.

My words can't do Billy justice I'm afraid .

I dont think anything further needs to be said Rodders. I think is sums things up well. Over articulating can lead to message getting lost.

Yeah sure thanks stag, its just other here know him better .

Totally devestated. He was just getting ready to head to NZ aswell.

rodders wrote:He was just getting ready to head to NZ aswell.

I know thats awful for him. Sure Im sure he can get money back once he is better and have an amazing time somewhere else.

I don't know what to say really, that is utterly shocking news and I can't quite take it in. Such a lovely, lovely fella.

Like the rest of you I'm shocked. Hoping for some good news and will be saying prayers for Billy.

Billy my heartfelt prayers are with you , get well soon mate

With due respect to everyone here, I honestly can't think of anyone I enjoy the banter with more than Billy on 606, or maybe anywhere. He's so honest and impartial on the Ireland threads and has such a great,great sense of humour.

I've never met him so don't want to be overdramatic here but he's always been so nice to me on here, I feel like this has happened to a real friend, someone I've known for years. I just don't have the words......

The sooner he's back on these boards the better .

I can agree with you rodders, we had some good humour early mornings when everyone else was still waking up.

He always says humour is something that comes naturally to him.

Redpath gone to Sale....get ready for the Glos backlash!!

This sort of puts things into perspective.. all the arguments, debates, banter that we have on these forums.. rugby is just a game. This is a friend on these forums who contributes so much. My prayers are with you brother, please get well soon.

Very true Rory, i really don't feel like posting on any other threads today. It all just seems insignificant...

Mickado wrote:Very true Rory, i really don't feel like posting on any other threads today. It all just seems insignificant...

Yeah same here. I literally have nothing to say, I think I will be taking a break from posting and just seeing any updates on billy.

Me too, I have zero interest in Rugby or much else today. I'm just lurking around in the hope that theres some news. I'm heartbroken at this, really am. He was just joking the other day about flying me and J over for pints if Ireland won the 2nd test in NZ..... fighting back the tears thinking about it....
... he's a Sixmilebridge man though, made of tough stuff down there.

To Billy

guys, we all feel bad, billy is a genuine bloke and it is a shock to hear this kind of news, but in my view you will show billy more support to go about your usual business than not participating with why he is here in the first place.

I guess you are right biltongbek, but on the irish threads he was just posting like last night. Don't have anything to say today really.

Jayzus, just logged on and seen the news about eirebilly. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

Also makes you think that despite being a forum, and not really meeting people, you do make some pretty good friends here.

Only just read back about Billy. I know that religion is a no-no on these forums but I think it's safe to say that him and his family'll be in my prayers tonight.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I guess you are right biltongbek, but on the irish threads he was just posting like last night. Don't have anything to say today really.

rory, I myself feel quite bad this morning, although billy and myself always jest, last night I gave him lip about not visiting me like he promised when he was in SA in april.

so not feeling good about that one.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Also makes you think that despite being a forum, and not really meeting people, you do make some pretty good friends here.

I 100% agree , not met any of you face to face but id like to think ive made soon good friends on here ............and Billy you are one of the best mate .

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Also makes you think that despite being a forum, and not really meeting people, you do make some pretty good friends here.

+1 everyone I've been fortunate enough to meet from here hasn't disappointed either, in fact they've probably surpassed the esteem I already held them in.

I've no doubt the same would be true of Billy, and there's no poster I hold in higher esteem than king bill .

biltongbek wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I guess you are right biltongbek, but on the irish threads he was just posting like last night. Don't have anything to say today really.

rory, I myself feel quite bad this morning, although billy and myself always jest, last night I gave him lip about not visiting me like he promised when he was in SA in april.

so not feeling good about that one.

Don't be Biltong, it was all in good spirits and Billy knows it. You and him have a great rapport, a natural double act, kindred spirits. Enjoyed the craic on that one .

biltongbek wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I guess you are right biltongbek, but on the irish threads he was just posting like last night. Don't have anything to say today really.

rory, I myself feel quite bad this morning, although billy and myself always jest, last night I gave him lip about not visiting me like he promised when he was in SA in april.

so not feeling good about that one.

Man, we both know billy loved to have a bit of a laugh. I'm sure he didn't take it personally, and he certainly wouldn't want you to feel bad about it. He knows you yourself are a great guy too. Hopefully he will be back soon to tell you this himself!

Oh my goodness.

Just saw this a few minutes ago.

Wanted to try compose myself before I said anything.

All my thoughts, love and prayers William.

I hope you're ok Mrs P . I know you and Billy are close.

This is terrible. Whoever you pray to, pray for Billy.

Then pray for him again.

I saw the posting from Rodders and this is certainly terrible news. I have been searching for reports regarding any ditching of a helicopter and injuries and have found none. Would anyone have seen something?

DOD, billy resides in holland, so I would suggest you need to look there.

Nothing on any news wires as far as I can find, DOD

Not sure DOD, hopefully his brother will update us later if there is more info. Awful news mate .

I have been looking on Dutch sites (I speak dutch badly) but have found no mention of an accident for the north sea rigs....

If it only happened this morning there may not be any media reports yet?

I am really hoping that if anything happened that Billy is ok...I saw the post and am just curious that a helicopter ditching is not reported. I hope that my cynicism is correct and nothing has happened...I have checked the dutch papers and the official TV site nos and nothing is mentioned...

In this instance Rodders I hope I am right and you are wrong...

Guys some of your comments are in past tense. Give the guy a chance to recover before you write his obituary.