Latest news with #NationalPloughingChampionships
Agriland
15 minutes ago
- General
- Agriland
Child safety wristband to be in place at Ploughing 2025
The National Ploughing Association (NPA) and FBD 'Keeping you Safe' child safety wristband project is set to return at this year's National Ploughing Championships. The championships are set to take place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly between September 16 - 18. Over 40,000 of the safety wristbands will be handed out at the event entrances, with space for a contact phone number offering peace of mind, should a child become separated from their group. NPA's Anna May McHugh, Maureen O'Meara, and FBD's Tomás O'Midheach with Fergus, Liam and Sean Conroy launching the children's wristbands on the site of the 2025 National Ploughing Championships. (Source: NPA) The managing director of the NPA, Anna May McHugh said: "We are very pleased to continue our partnership with FBD on this vital child safety initiative. "The wristbands have become a simple but highly effective tool in keeping families safe and together during the event." "With the enormous crowds we welcome each year, they offer invaluable peace of mind to parents and guardians," McHugh added. According to the NPA, the National Ploughing Championships is a celebration of community and family, with countless attractions to delight children and adults alike. It said that safety is a key part of making sure everyone enjoys their day to the fullest. All children under 12 are free of charge once accompanied by a paying adult. Separately, during this farm safety week (July 21 - 25) Teagasc is continuing to place a strong focus on safe farmyard design, with a number of free on farm events taking place across the country. Safe farmyards are developed by careful thought and detailed design, and must be functional for livestock and crop enterprises, but they must also facilitate safe efficient movement of people, livestock, and farm machinery. Teagasc indicated that clear separation of people, livestock and machinery must be in place throughout the farmyard to safely manage farm tasks. Pedestrian routes must avoid contact with livestock and machinery. Teagasc's farm buildings and infrastructure specialist, Tom Fallon said: 'Teagasc advisors across the country are highly trained to help farmers maximise the efficiency and safety of their farmyards. 'Teagasc advisors seek to help each individual farmer with decisions around development of their farmyard in the short and longer term to improve work routines, labour efficiency and safety,' Fallon added.
Agriland
an hour ago
- Business
- Agriland
Certa renews fuel sponsorship for Ploughing Championships
The National Ploughing Association (NPA) has confirmed that Certa are again the official fuel sponsor for this year's National Ploughing Championships. Certa will supply all of the event fuel requirements for the three-day event which takes place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from September 16-18. This will include fuelling all the generators for powering the site and the lighting towers from the main site. Speaking ahead of this year's National Ploughing Championship, Anna May McHugh NPA aanaging director expressed her enthusiasm for the continued partnership. 'We're delighted to welcome Certa back as our official fuel partner for Ploughing 2025. "It's fantastic to have their support again, particularly with the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a sustainable diesel that aligns with our commitment to greener practices," she said. Certa added that it is delighted to be the official fuel supplier for one of Europe's largest outdoor agricultural events. 'With its blend of tradition, skill, innovation and community, the National Ploughing Championship is a celebration of Ireland's rural heart. "As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we're helping to reduce its carbon footprint through the use of HVO. This renewable fuel helps to cut carbon emissions by up to 90%," Orla Stevens, Certa managing director, said. Throughout the event, Certa will also be showcasing a range of energy solutions for customers, including solar, HVO, lubricants, and other liquid fuels.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Free farmer health checks to be provided nationwide over next 14 weeks
A 'Farmer Health Checks Programme' spearheaded by the IFA, in partnership with Croí Heart and Stroke Charity, announced the nationwide roll-out. This initiative is supported by DAFM after an open call for farm safety, health and wellbeing projects offering free health checks for farmers and their families. 'Often the focus is on the health of our livestock and land rather than on our own health and wellbeing. This programme is a practical reminder that looking after yourself is part of running a strong, sustainable farm,' said IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Chair Teresa Roche. The health checks will be set up at livestock marts across the country over the next 14 weeks. Check-ups will also be available at the Tullamore show and National Ploughing Championships. Speaking at the launch of the programme at Ballymahon Livestock Mart in Longford, IFA President Francie Gorman appealed to farmers to take the time to attend their nearest health check and to be more conscious of their health in challenging times for agriculture. 'Following a very successful roll-out last year, this initiative provides a great opportunity for farmers to participate in a health check process at a time and place that suits them. This year's launch is also timely as it falls during Farm Safety Week. "Having peace of mind that your health is good is important in facing daily tasks that carry risks,' he said. Minister of state with special responsibility for farm safety, Michael Healy-Rae, said: 'Last year, almost half of participants who availed of the health checks presented with elevated blood pressure or cholesterol levels. "This demonstrates the need for farmers to prioritise their health and wellbeing, and I am urging all farmers to take the time to avail of these free health checks.' The minister said he was delighted to support the now expanded programme and to build on the success of last year's pilot programme. Chief Executive of Croí Heart and Stroke Charity, Mark O'Donnell, said Croí is proud to continue its partnership with the IFA on this important initiative. 'Up to 80% of heart disease and stroke is preventable, and these free health checks give farmers a real chance to take control of their health. By bringing early detection and expert advice directly to marts, we're making it easier for farmers to take a simple, practical step that could change — or even save — their lives,' explained Mr O'Donnell. For a full list of locations and dates, please visit the IFA website. Read More Flourishing women's shed movement denied Government funding
BreakingNews.ie
16-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Coroner rejects calls to refer details to gardaí after Offaly farmer (75) dies day after wedding
A coroner has rejected calls to refer the circumstances of the death of an Offaly farmer (75) on the day after he got married to gardaí for a detailed forensic investigation. The dramatic application was made at the conclusion of a three-day inquest into the death of Joe Grogan (75) who died at his home in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly on April 15th, 2023 just 24 hours after he got married to to his part-time carer, Lisa Flaherty, in a registry office unknown to any of his relatives who were unaware the couple were even in a relationship. Advertisement Mr Grogan was a well-known figure in Irish farming circles for hosting the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018, while the farm will also stage this year's event in September. The inquest at Offaly Coroner's Court in Tullamore heard that Ms Flaherty – a special needs assistant and mother of three who was 26 years junior to her husband– stands to inherit the 220-acre farm which is valued at €5.5 million as his widow. It had previously heard that the cause of the farmer's death could not be determined because it was embalmed before a postmortem could be carried out which restricted the tests that could be conducted by a pathologist. The farmer had been diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a form of blood cancer) in January 2023 and had responded well to treatment, although Ms Flaherty gave evidence that he believed he was dying. Advertisement On Tuesday, counsel for three cousins of the deceased – Alo, Margaret and Seán Grogan – Damien Tansey SC, called on the coroner, Raymond Mahon, not to return a verdict and to refer the matter to the DPP for a forensic examination of Mr Grogan's death by gardaí. Mr Tansey said it would be most unfair to the farmer's memory and to his family if the request was declined. Separately, Peter Jones, a solicitor for an aunt of the deceased, Teresa Mooney, also asked the coroner to refer the death to gardaí and to return an open verdict. Mr Jones claimed the inquest had left 'an awful lot of unanswered questions' and the circumstances of Mr Grogan's death could only be challenged by trained personnel used to investigating 'suspicious deaths.' Advertisement However, Mr Mahon returned a narrative verdict based on extensive evidence and claimed the farmer's death was probably due to an infection on the balance of probabilities. He noted the deceased was a person with a Stage IV high grade cancer who was receiving chemotherapy treatment with a compromised immune system who had also suffered 'significant weight loss". Mr Grogan's weight went from 79kg in June 2022 to 67.6kg at the time he was diagnosed with cancer and to 51kg at the time of his death. The coroner said evidence from witnesses of Mr Grogan's 'slow, elongated decline' lent support to his view that Mr Grogan's death was caused by an infection. Advertisement Widow of Joe Grogan, Lisa Flaherty, pictured leaving the Tullamore Coroner's Court. Photo: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin He rejected the suggestion of Mr Tansey that a verdict of unlawful killing could be considered as the evidence was not 'anywhere near the level of proof' required to support such a finding. Referring to a claim by Mr Jones that the farmer had been 'left to die,' Mr Mahon said there was valid criticism about the way Mr Grogan's care was managed following his last session of chemotherapy. However, Mr Mahon, who retired as coroner following the case, noted that the deceased had repeatedly told people he did not want to go to hospital and a relative had stated that it was obvious he was dying. In a submission, Mr Tansey said there was disquiet in the area where Mr Grogan lived over the circumstances of his death which had been significantly added to by the evidence heard at the inquest. Advertisement He claimed that the coroner also appeared 'sufficiently troubled' to repossess the body after it had been embalmed to allow an examination to be carried out to try and establish the cause of death. Mr Tansey said the pathologist Charles D'Adhemar, was working in impossible circumstances due to the 'irreparable damage' caused by the embalming process. However, he noted that Dr D'Adhemar had been able to detect the presence of three drugs in the body of the deceased which if used in a combination of large quantities could cause respiratory depression. Mr Tansey accused Ms Flaherty of telling 'porkies' by putting out a false narrative that the farmer was at the end stage of life and requiring palliative care. He observed that Ms Flaherty had not tried to explain that she was in an 'on-off relationship' with Mr Grogan when she gave evidence that their relationship had been over 16 years but later having to admit that she had another partner up to 2020. Mr Tansey said another troubling issue was the secrecy surrounding the couple's marriage about which even Ms Flaherty's sister and best friend were unaware. He also observed she had not called any doctor to see Mr Grogan for the 10 days he had been at home before his death after being discharged from hospital after chemotherapy. The barrister claimed Ms Flaherty had also called an undertaker with 'indecent haste' and had tried to 'ensnare' a doctor in her scheme for getting the body released. There was a gasped reaction among the large crowd attending the inquest when Mr Tansey reminded the coroner that a verdict of unlawful killing was open to him. He pointed out that Mr Grogan was clearly ill in the days before his death and there was going to be 'a dreadful end' if there was no appropriate medical intervention. However, he said the only time the farmer was taken from his house during that period was to go to a registry office 'to hurriedly and secretly arrange a marriage". In his submission, Mr Jones said the most solid evidence at the inquest came from doctors who had never given a direction that Mr Grogan required palliative care as suggested by Ms Flaherty. 'Reign of secrecy' He noted an oncologist had stated the farmer's death was not inevitable and Mr Jones said it would be a travesty to suggest otherwise. The solicitor remarked that a 'reign of secrecy' had prevailed over Mr Grogan's final days, while adding that his death was not due to cancer, heart failure or any infection. However, he claimed the inquest, despite the coroner's best efforts, had not come any nearer to establishing the cause of death. Mr Jones also noted the 'cruelty' of members of the Grogan family being excluded and only being told of the farmer's death by a friend. He argued the only people who could 'get to the bottom of this' would be An Garda Síochána and a further investigation would 'satisfy public disquiet". The solicitor said Mr Grogan wanted to live and had 'everything to live for". However, counsel for Mr Flaherty, Stephen Byrne BL, claimed the inquest had been used to attack Ms Flaherty's good name and reputation. Mr Byrne said one submission had just stopped short of accusing her of causing Mr Grogan's death. He claimed the fact that gardaí had not taken any further steps to date 'must carry some weight". Sean Grogan, right and Padraig Grogan cousins of the late Joe Grogan speaking to the media pictured leaving theTullamore Coroner's Court. Photo: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin Mr Byrne reminded the coroner that one of Mr Grogan's own relatives, Enta Conroy, had given evidence that he was fading and approaching the end of his life. He pointed out that no member of the Grogan family had contacted any doctor if they were so concerned about his health. The barrister said he struggled to find the relevance of the marriage to the inquest, while the coroner had directed that its validity was not open for discussion. He also sharply criticised the approach adopted by the Grogan family to the inquest and how they thought it fit and appropriate that Ms Flaherty should have been asked if her marriage had ever been consummated. The previous two days of evidence of the inquest had also been dominated by bad-tempered exchanges between the legal representatives after the validity of the marriage was questioned, despite a marriage certificate being produced at the hearing. There were further heated exchanges on Tuesday after Mr Tansey claimed previous evidence of Ms Flaherty which stated her relationship with the deceased started when she was 16 'puts it in the realm of being a paedophile". Ms Flaherty was heard to call the barrister a 'scumbag' in response. Offering his commiserations to all parties at the conclusion of the inquest, the coroner said it had been 'a very difficult case for everyone". Speaking afterwards, Seán Grogan said his family had just wanted to find that 'our cousin was treated properly in his dying days' after concerns were first raised when his funeral arrangements had been 'chopped and changed". Mr Tansey said the Grogans had been surprised and concerned to find out that no medical personnel had been contacted by Ms Flaherty in the 10 days before his death when it was clear he was suffering some infection from his last session of chemotherapy. The barrister said the focus 'from here on in will be the merit and circumstances of that marriage".
RTÉ News
16-07-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Coroner rejects calls to refer death of farmer to gardaí
A coroner has rejected calls to refer the circumstances of the death of a 75-year-old Offaly farmer on the day after he got married to gardaí for a detailed forensic investigation. The application was made at the conclusion of a three-day inquest into the death of Joe Grogan, who died at his home in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on 15 April 2023. He died just 24 hours after he got married to his part-time carer, Lisa Flaherty, in a registry office, Mr Grogan's relatives were unaware of the wedding and also unaware the couple were even in a relationship. Mr Grogan was well known in Irish farming circles for hosting the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018 and the farm will also stage this year's event in September. The inquest at Offaly Coroner's Court in Tullamore, heard that Ms Flaherty - a special needs assistant and mother of three who was 26 years junior to her husband - stands to inherit the 220-acre farm which is valued at €5.5 million as his widow. It had previously heard that the cause of Mr Grogan's death could not be determined because his body was embalmed before a post-mortem examination could be carried out which restricted the tests that could be conducted by a pathologist. Mr Grogan had been diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a form of blood cancer) in January 2023 and had responded well to treatment, although Ms Flaherty gave evidence that he believed he was dying. Counsel for three cousins of the deceased - Alo, Margaret and Seán Grogan - Damien Tansey SC, called on the coroner, Raymond Mahon, not to return a verdict and to refer the matter to the DPP for a forensic examination of Mr Grogan's death by gardaí. Mr Tansey said it would be most unfair to the farmer's memory and to his family if the request was declined. Separately, Peter Jones, a solicitor for Teresa Mooney, an aunt of Mr Grogan, also asked the coroner to refer the death to gardaí and to return an open verdict. Mr Jones claimed the inquest had left "an awful lot of unanswered questions" and the circumstances of Mr Grogan's death could only be challenged by trained personnel used to investigating "suspicious deaths". However, Mr Mahon returned a narrative verdict based on extensive evidence and claimed Mr Grogan's death was probably due to an infection on the balance of probabilities. He noted that Mr Grogan had a Stage IV high grade cancer who was receiving chemotherapy treatment with a compromised immune system who had also suffered "significant weight loss". Mr Grogan's weight went from 79kg in June 2022 to 67.6kg at the time he was diagnosed with cancer and to 51kg at the time of his death. The coroner said evidence from witnesses of Mr Grogan's "slow, elongated decline" lent support to his view that Mr Grogan's death was caused by an infection. He rejected the suggestion of Mr Tansey that a verdict of unlawful killing could be considered as the evidence was not "anywhere near the level of proof" required to support such a finding. Referring to a claim by Mr Jones that Mr Grogan had been "left to die," Mr Mahon said there was valid criticism about the way Mr Grogan's care was managed following his last session of chemotherapy. However, Mr Mahon, who retired as coroner following the case, noted that Mr Grogan had repeatedly told people he did not want to go to hospital and a relative had stated that it was obvious he was dying. In a submission, Mr Tansey said there was disquiet in the area where Mr Grogan lived over the circumstances of his death, which had been significantly added to by the evidence heard at the inquest. He claimed that the coroner also appeared "sufficiently troubled" to repossess the body after it had been embalmed to allow an examination to be carried out to try and establish the cause of death. Mr Tansey said the pathologist Charles D'Adhemar, was working in impossible circumstances due to the "irreparable damage" caused by the embalming process. However, he noted that Dr D'Adhemar had been able to detect the presence of three drugs in the body which, if used in a combination of large quantities, could cause respiratory depression. Mr Tansey accused Ms Flaherty of telling "porkies" by putting out a false narrative that Mr Grogan was at the end stage of life and requiring palliative care. He observed that Ms Flaherty had not tried to explain that she was in an "on-off relationship" with Mr Grogan when she gave evidence that their relationship had been over 16 years, but later having to admit that she had another partner up to 2020. Mr Tansey said another troubling issue was the secrecy surrounding the couple's marriage about which even Ms Flaherty's sister and best friend were unaware. He also observed she had not called any doctor to see Mr Grogan for the ten days he had been at home before his death after being discharged from hospital after chemotherapy. The barrister claimed Ms Flaherty had also called an undertaker with "indecent haste" and had tried to "ensnare" a doctor in her scheme for getting Mr Grogan's body released. There was a gasped reaction among the large crowd attending the inquest when Mr Tansey reminded the coroner that a verdict of unlawful killing was open to him. He pointed out that Mr Grogan was clearly ill in the days before his death and there was going to be "a dreadful end" if there was no appropriate medical intervention. However, he said the only time Mr Grogan was taken from his house during that period was to go to a registry office "to hurriedly and secretly arrange a marriage". In his submission, Mr Jones said the most solid evidence at the inquest came from doctors who had never given a direction that Mr Grogan required palliative care as suggested by Ms Flaherty. He noted an oncologist had stated his death was not inevitable and Mr Jones said it would be a travesty to suggest otherwise. The solicitor remarked that a "reign of secrecy" had prevailed over Mr Grogan's final days, while adding that his death was not due to cancer, heart failure or any infection. However, he claimed the inquest, despite the coroner's best efforts, had not come any nearer to establishing the cause of death. Mr Jones also noted the "cruelty" of members of the Grogan family being excluded and only being told of his death by a friend. He argued the only people who could "get to the bottom of this" would be An Garda Síochána and a further investigation would "satisfy public disquiet". The solicitor said Mr Grogan wanted to live and had "everything to live for". However, counsel for Ms Flaherty, Stephen Byrne BL, claimed the inquest had been used to attack her good name and reputation. Mr Byrne said one submission had just stopped short of accusing her of causing Mr Grogan's death. He claimed the fact that gardaí had not taken any further steps to date "must carry some weight". Mr Byrne reminded the coroner that one of Mr Grogan's own relatives, Enta Conroy, had given evidence that he was fading and approaching the end of his life. He pointed out that no member of the Grogan family had contacted any doctor if they were so concerned about his health. The barrister said he struggled to find the relevance of the marriage to the inquest, while the coroner had directed that its validity was not open for discussion. He also sharply criticised the approach adopted by the Grogan family to the inquest and how they thought it fit and appropriate that Ms Flaherty should have been asked if her marriage had ever been consummated. The previous two days of evidence of the inquest had also been dominated by heated exchanges between the legal representatives after the validity of the marriage was questioned, despite a marriage certificate being produced at the hearing. There were further heated exchanges after Mr Tansey claimed previous evidence of Ms Flaherty which stated her relationship with the deceased started when she was 16 "puts it in the realm of being a paedophile". Offering his commiserations to all parties at the conclusion of the inquest, the coroner said it had been "a very difficult case for everyone". Speaking afterwards, Seán Grogan said his family had just wanted to find that "our cousin was treated properly in his dying days" after concerns were first raised when his funeral arrangements had been "chopped and changed". Mr Tansey said the Grogans had been surprised and concerned to find out that no medical personnel had been contacted by Ms Flaherty in the ten days before his death when it was clear he was suffering some infection from his last session of chemotherapy. The barrister said the focus "from here on in will be the merit and circumstances of that marriage".
