Dad-of-one dies in ‘tragic’ Galway farm work accident as ‘sadness is heavy’ in local community & HSA investigating

A DAD-of-one died in a “tragic” farm incident in Co Galway earlier this that has caused “heavy sadness” in the area.

The father-of-one, believed to be in his early 40s, has been named locally as Paul Kelly from Clostoken, Loughrea.

An investigation has been launched by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) following the tragic death.

According to a death notice on RIP.ie, Mr Kelly “passed away tragically following an accident” on Wednesday, September 16.

“Paul will be deeply mourned and sadly missed by his daughter Tia and her mother Jana, brothers Richard, Kenneth and Gerard, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, extended family, relatives and many friends.”

The HSA said it was notified of the farm incident on Wednesday.

A spokesperson said: “The Health and Safety Authority is aware of the fatal incident and has launched an investigation.

“As such, no further information is available.”

Fianna Fail senator Shane Curley, from Loughrea, described the incident as “tragic”, and particularly poignant given that it occurred on the week of the National Ploughing Championships.

He said: “I was returning home from Dublin when it filtered through that there had been a terrible farm accident.

“My sympathies are with his family. It is a tragic, tragic, tragic accident. It’s horrible.

“The sadness is heavy. Any incident like that, where someone so young passes away, is shocking.”

Mr Kelly’s funeral Mass will take place at the Church of the Holy Family, Clostoken, at 12 noon on Monday, with burial afterwards in Clostoken Cemetery.