CASUALTY:AN 85-YEAR-OLD Co Mayo man was killed at the weekend when he slipped on an icy patch in his farmyard, sustaining fatal head injuries.
Peter Irwin from Derryhillagh, Castlehill, Ballina, an active farmer despite his advanced years, had been checking on livestock at midday on Saturday when the tragedy occurred.
His body was found an hour later by relatives who came to check on him.
Mr Irwin’s is the third death of an elderly person due to the current cold weather.
Also in Co Mayo, the body of Tom Connolly (78) was found on Thursday morning on the footpath leading to his house at Luí na Gréine, Claremorris.
In Co Cork, Donal O’Connell (81) died of suspected hypothermia after he fell in a field on his way home last Monday. His car was found stuck in a field off a boreen the following day and his body was discovered nearby. Gardaí believe he may been trying to turn his car in a field when the vehicle got stuck.
Mr Irwin, a single man who lived alone near the northern slope of Nephin mountain, was described locally yesterday as “a good neighbour and very kind”.
Edmond Blake, who lives about half a mile from Mr Irwin’s holding, said that as a landowner he had always been very determined and conscientious.
“Peter was always happy,” Mr Blake recalled. “You would never see him in bad form.” It is understood that Mr Irwin, due to mobility problems, got around with the aid of a walking stick and continued to drive a tractor.
He continued to farm, believing, according to neighbours, in the importance of keeping busy as a means of staying contented.
Mr Irwin was brought by ambulance to Mayo General Hospital on Saturday afternoon but was dead on admission.
Meanwhile, “ice rink” conditions on roads throughout Co Mayo were reported yesterday.
Sporting fixtures, bingo and even a number of Masses fell victim to the atrocious conditions.
Bus Éireann services in the east Mayo area were disrupted for a time as the roads were impassable at Cloongullane Bridge near Swinford.
Roads in Erris, where there were a number of minor accidents, were described as the worst in living memory.