Tag Archives: farm fatality

Unremarkable as it was in many ways, the U-21 Leinster hurling match between Offaly and Westmeath recently was unforgettable for one family. Offaly made it through to the provincial semi-final on a score of 2-15 to 1.10. Earlier that evening, Eugene Hogan set off from his home in O’Briensbridge, met his brother Kevin and his parents, Kieran and Margaret, in Tipperary and the family made their way to O’Connor Park in Tullamore. It was their first car journey together since last July. “It was a fantastic night. It was not, by any stretch of the imagination, a match that will be remembered for the rest of the year in hurling but, for us, it was a huge one. Offaly got a victory and my father at the end of the match was in with the players in a huddle and it was a lovely, emotional moment for our family to see him there getting a big lift,” Eugene says. “From the …

Work related accidents claimed the lives of 55 people last year, representing a 17% increase on the 47 reported in 2013. Figures released by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) show fatalities in the agriculture sector increased by 87% in 2014, with 30 people killed [two in Clare]compared to 16 in 2013. For the fifth year running this sector has recorded the highest number of fatalities, representing roughly 55% of all work related deaths last year. Reflecting on what he desccribed as “a particularly horrific year for the agriculture sector”, Martin O’Halloran, CEO of the HSA, said, “The number of fatal accidents that occurred on farms last year was the highest in over 20 years. In May of 2014 alone there were five people killed. It is particularly tragic that five children lost their lives on Irish farms last year.” According to Mr O’Halloran, last year had the highest total number of workplace fatalities since 2008. “We are concerned at …