A man in his 50s has died in a workplace accident in Portarlington, Co Laois.

The incident happened while he was carrying out building works on a shed at the back of a house on the Ballymorris Road.

The man fell from a height of over two metres at around 10am today. A garda spokesman said the man sustained injuries when a roof section and walls collapsed in the building.

He was taken to Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Health and Safety Authority has confirmed that they are investigating. Inspectors have been sent to the scene.