Young man (aged 20) killed in farm accident in Galway, local name was Colie Kearney

A young man who died in a farming accident in Galway involving a tractor has been named at the scene.

Olie Kearney, in his 20s, was killed at a farm near Kilbeacanty in Gort yesterday morning, Monday 2 January.

The Health and Safety Authority was informed of his death and visited the scene.

Mr Keaney’s body was later taken to Galway University Hospital for a post-mortem.

Gardaí are now investigating all the circumstances surrounding the incident, which is being described as a “fatal accident at work”.

A Gardaí spokesman said: “Gardaí is investigating a fatal workplace incident that occurred on Monday morning 2 January 2023 at a farming site near Gort, Co Galway.

“A man in his 20s was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to Galway University Hospital for an autopsy. The HSA was notified and visited the scene. The investigations are ongoing.”

Mr. Kearney is survived by parents Francis and Maura, brothers Niall and Shane, grandmother Eileen and Uncle Seán, Uncles Pat and Martin, aunts Mary, Eileen and Peggy, cousins, extended family, neighbors, colleagues and his many friends.

He will rest this Thursday 5 January from 4pm to 7pm at Saint Columba’s Church in Kilbeacanty.

A funeral service for Colie will then be held at 1pm the next day, followed by a burial at Rakerin Cemetery.

Some social media users have commented that Mr Kearney’s death was “so sad” as they paid tribute to their pal and prayed he rested in peace.

The young man’s death was a “devastating” blow to the local community, particularly his family, many of whom are also farmers, Councilman PJ Murphy said.

“He was a young man from a very respected farming family in the area, they have been here for generations,” the Fine Gael politician told Agriland.

“It’s devastating for all of them”.

Cllr Murphy added that it was the second tragedy to have struck the farming community of Gort in recent months, as Mr Kearney’s neighbor John Hansberry, who was in his 60s, also died in “a very similar accident”.

The recently retired Galway County Council worker was fatally injured in July when he was suddenly pinched by the tractor he was driving while carrying out maintenance work on his land in the Derreen area.

Gardai and emergency services were called to the scene and his body was taken to Galway University Hospital for an autopsy.

The HSA was notified and conducted an investigation.

Cllr Geraldine Donohue, of Galway County Council, said at the time: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and community of the Lord who lost his life at this very sad time.

“It is a terrible tragedy, his family needs the time and space to process the immeasurable loss they have suffered.”