A farmer has died following an accident in which he was struck by a bullock at a mart in Co Galway.
The 62-year-old man, who has been named locally as Mike McLoughlin from Curraghboy in Co Roscommon, was injured when the bullock jumped out of the mart ring and into the crowd during the autumn cattle show and sale at Loughrea mart on Saturday.
He was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Galway but was later reported dead.
Gardaí are investigating the incident, as are the Health and Safety Authority and the coroner for Co Galway.
Paying tribute, local councillor Laurence Fallon (Ind) said: “I have known Michael since we were both 12 years of age when we went to school together on the same bus. He was a quiet bachelor farmer, a haulier and a cattle agent, so he was widely known throughout the west of Ireland. It is such a huge shock when such a tragedy visits your own community and a gentleman like Michael is taken from us so quickly.”
His funeral will take place on Thursday.