Death of man (40) on Co Cork farm investigated

Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority are investigating the death of a 40- year-old father of two in an incident on a farm in Co Cork on New Year's Eve.

Pat Buckley was fatally injured when he was crushed by a JCB while feeding cattle at the family farm at Ballyhillogue in Mourneabbey near Mallow at about 7.30pm.

It’s believed he was injured after stepping out of the JCB to cut the plastic off a round bale of silage at the front of the vehicle. Initial investigations suggest the machine rolled forward and the man was caught between the bale of silage and a feeding post.

Mr Buckley was discovered by his mother Ann when she went looking for him after he failed to return home and the emergency services were alerted but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardaí preserved the scene and removed the JCB for a technical examination with a view to preparing a file on the man’s death for an inquest.

The HSA has also been notified and inspectors are investigating the incident which has shocked the local community in Mourneabbey.

Mr Buckley is survived by his wife Patricia and sons Oliver (6) and Mark (4), his mother Ann and sister Maryanne. He will lie in repose at O’Connell’s Funeral Home in Mallow on Friday.

His remains will be removed to St Lachteen ‘s Church in Grenagh on Saturday and he will be buried in the local cemetery in Grenagh following requiem mass at St Lachteen’s at 11am on Sunday.

Mr Buckley’s death was the latest of a series of fatal incidents on farms with some 30 people, including five children, losing their lives nationally last year.

In Cork, a farmer (26) died after being trapped beneath a trailer while working on at his family farm near Clonakilty on January 16th last.

An 18-month-old toddler died from crush injuries following an incident involving a tractor at the family farm at Fanisk in Killeagh in east Cork.

A man (37) was killed when he was overcome by fumes and fell into a slurry tank at the family farm at Cahermuckee in Kealkill in west Cork.

On August 1st, a boy (3) was fatally injured when he was caught by a mechanical digger at the family farm at Gornascreena in Drimoleague in west Cork, and on September 28th, a girl (8) was killed instantly when the front loader of a JCB tractor fell on her while she was playing at a farm at Newtownshandrum in the north of the county.