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The Journal
3 days ago
- General
- The Journal
Farmers urged to prioritise safety as 12 farming fatalities reported so far this year
FARMERS AND THOSE working in agriculture are being urged to prioritise safety as Farm Safety Week begins tomorrow. The Health and Safety Authority has issued a plea for those involved in farming to engage in 'meaningful conversations' with their families and communities regarding risk, responsibility, and prevention. To date, there have been 12 farming fatalities this year. This is the same amount as the total number of fatalities in farming in 2024, the authority said. Of the 12, 5 of these fatalities involved vehicles. In 9 of these cases, the deceased was over the age of 65. Nearly two fifths of farm holders are over the age of 65 , with under-35s making up only a small proportion of the sector, according to data from the Central Statistics Office. Advertisement The average age of farm holders is 59.4. Over 50,000 of Ireland's farm holders (37.8%) are aged 65 or over, whereas only 6,000 (4.3%) are under 35. The HSA said that tragically, farming continues to account for a disproportionate number of workplace deaths. Many of these incidents involve vehicles, machinery, livestock and falls from height, it continued, saying that such incidents are preventable. Senior Inspector at the authority, Get Hartnett, said, 'Each life that is lost in farming is a devastating reminder that safety must come first every day, on every farm. 'We must remind ourselves that there are twelve families this year mourning the loss of a loved one and we must collectively renew our commitment to prevent further family tragedies. 'We want to see a change in the attitude towards farm safety,' Hartnett added. 'Keep your vehicles and machinery well maintained. Plan all work activity. Rest when you feel tired, take a break. Know your limitations.' Farm Safety Week is a campaign that highlights the ongoing dangers faced in farming. The collaborative campaign is coordinated in Ireland by the Irish Farmers' Association, and brings together farming organisations from across Ireland and the UK. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Irish Independent
Kildare construction site that posed ‘danger to workers' lives' closed by HSA
The HSA stressed that the use of Section 71 powers, involving the High Court, is reserved only for the most serious breaches of health and safety law The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) have secured a High Court order to immediately stop works at a construction site in Co Kildare where they say workers' lives are at risk. On Wednesday, July 16, the HSA said it secured, on consent of the owner, a Hight Court order under Section 71 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, resulting in the immediate prohibition of the use of a construction site located at Bridge Street in Kilcock, Co Kildare.
Sunday World
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Sunday World
Well-known boxing coach dies in Co Offaly farming accident
Paul Loonam died in a work-related accident at Ballinamere outside Tullamore Paul Loonam senior on the right with his son Paul Loonam Junior Tributes have been paid to a well-known sports man who died in a farming accident in County Offaly on Wednesday afternoon July 9th. Paul Loonam who was in his fifties died in a work-related accident at Ballinamere outside Tullamore on Wednesday afternoon. It is believed that Mr Loonam who was from the village of Pullough was working with a digger in the area when the incident occurred. Gardai and the emergency services were called to the scene. Mr Loonam was well known in boxing circles as the father of professional boxer Paul Loonam. Mr Loonam was heavily involved with St Carthage's boxing club and was his son's coach. He also played Gaelic football with Erin Rovers in the 1980s and 1990s. Tributes have also been paid to Mr Loonam online. One friend wrote ''very saddened to hear of Paul's passing. "I remember him well from his time in Rahan and his involvement with the boxing club. "Paul was a decent hard working gentleman who will be missed and fondly remembered. May he rest in peace.'' Another wrote'' He was a pillar of the community & the world is a sadder place without him''. The Health and Safety Authority (HAS) and the Gardai have confirmed that they are investigating the accident. He is survived by his wife Carmel and family, Ashling, Sinéad, Kevin, Róisín, and Paul, mother Rosaria, grandchildren. No Funeral details have not been released yet. Paul Loonam senior on the right with his son Paul Loonam Junior News in 90 Seconds - July 10th
Sunday World
03-07-2025
- Sunday World
‘I couldn't let go of his hand, I didn't want to leave him' – Man died in tyre explosion
Patrick McCrann was repairing a wheel on a trailer when the tragedy occurred A 50-year-old Co Roscommon man died instantly from a 'catastrophic' brain injury when the tyre of a farmyard trailer exploded while he was using an arc welder to repair the wheel rim, an inquest was told today. Patrick McCrann, who lived at Sheepwalk, Frenchpark, was repairing a wheel on a trailer which was used to bring turf from the bog to his parent's home when the tragedy occurred on July 18, 2024. An inquest into Mr McCrann's death was conducted this afternoon in Ballaghaderreen Courthouse by the Coroner for Roscommon, Brian O'Connor. Garda Denise Casserley told the hearing how following a report of a tyre explosion, she attended the scene and found the body of the deceased lying in a small shed in a farmyard having sustained a traumatic brain injury. The force of the explosion had blown a hole in the roof of the shed, Garda Casserley explained. Last rites were administered at the scene by Fr Joseph Gavigan and the body was identified to Garda Casserley by Kevin McCrann, a brother of the deceased. Kevin McCrann, in a deposition read to the inquest by Garda Courts Presenter, Sergeant Pat O'Malley explained he was in reading a letter in his sitting room when he heard an explosion. In his deposition, Mr McCrann continued: 'I didn't panic. I walked down the yard. I saw Pat's van reversed in towards the shed. The back door of the van was open. As I approached the van I knew something was wrong. I entered the shed and I saw Pat and I knew he was dead. 'I knew the extent of his injuries were fatal. 'I couldn't let go of his hand and I didn't want to leave him'. Patrick McCrann News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, July 3 Dr Caroline Brodie, Consultant Pathologist at University College Hospital Galway, disclosed that the cause of death was 'catastrophic traumatic injury'. Responding to the coroner, she said that death would have been instantaneous. The circumstances of the tragedy were investigated by Kay Baxter, an Inspector with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). In her report, which she read to today's hearing, Ms Baxter said Mr McCrann had been repairing a wheel rim with a tyre in situ in a shed in his parent's farmyard using an arc welder. 'The air in the tyre expanded with the heat from the weld and the tyre was forced off the wheel rim in an explosive fashion and was propelled through the roof of the shed landing in the concrete yard outside', Ms Baxter continued. She added: 'The resultant blast and impact with the tyre caused fatal head injuries (to the deceased)'. In her Report, Ms Baxter described Mr McCrann as an an experienced tyre fitter who had been in business for more than 30 years. Recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner said the deceased was well known as an obliging person who went out to assist people and to lose him in such tragic circumstances was very difficult for the family and the local community. Sergeant O'Malley, on behalf of An Garda Síochána, joined the coroner in expressing sympathy with the family of the deceased.
Irish Examiner
18-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Cork farmer pleads guilty to charges in relation to fatal farm accident
A Cork farmer has pleaded guilty to two charges in relation to an accident that occurred on her farm in 2020 that resulted in the death of a neighbour. Mary O'Riordan, of Curragh, Lissarda, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to two charges under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 both relating to a failure to discharge a duty. Suzanne Gorey, prosecuting, said the charges being brought were under Section 77 of the act, subsections 2a and 9a. Giving evidence, Health and Safety Authority inspector Frances Murphy said the incident occurred at Ms O'Riordan's premises on April 14, 2020. The court was told the deceased man, Declan Flynn, and another neighbour John Kingston, were working on refurbishing the roof of an outbuilding at the farm. The incident happened during the covid pandemic and as he was not able to go to work, Mr Flynn agreed to help out with the roof renovations. Ms Murphy said the two men began work on the roof at around 10am. In the afternoon, they were removing nails from some galvanised sheeting when a beam underneath Mr Flynn gave way and he fell approximately five metres to the floor below and sustained serious head injuries. The court heard Mr Flynn was taken to Cork University Hospital where he died as a result of the injuries on May 5, 2020. The court was told that a report prepared by assistant state pathologist Dr Margot Bolster stated that Mr Flynn died as a result of severe brain trauma resulting from injuries sustained in the fall. Defence solicitor Jack Purcell said that Ms O'Riordan had no previous convictions. Judge Joanne Carroll said she would have liked to have finalised the matter on the day but agreed to an adjournment to allow for the preparation of a victim impact statement by the deceased man's family. The judge said: 'I understand you need time to reflect on this and collect your thoughts. There is no rush.' The case was adjourned to September 3.
