Woman trampled to death by cattle
A younger woman who was with her was seriously injured in the incident at a farm in Co Roscommon.
The dead woman was named locally as 63-year-old Lucy Connor from Tuam, Kilrooskey, in Roscommon.
She had gone to a field accompanied by a friend late on Wednesday afternoon and the pair were reportedly followed by a couple of cats.
A number of cattle in the field apparently became spooked by the cats and charged in the direction of the women.
Mrs Connor was fatally injured and the other woman sustained serious injuries. She was rushed to Roscommon Hospital where she received emergency medical attention.
The dead woman is survived by her husband Pat and five sons. One of her sons is due to play for the local St Faithleach’s team in the Roscommon senior county championship semi-final against Padraig Pearses on Sunday.
Roscommon senator Terry Leyden described the death of Mrs Connor as “a terrible tragedy”.
“This accident has shocked everybody in the area. It is a terrible time for her family and our thoughts are with her husband Pat and family.
“Mrs Connor was very experienced in farming matters and very well respected locally. She will be a huge loss to her family, neighbours and friends”, the senator said.
Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority both launched investigations into the death.
A spokesperson for the HSA said that it had received an initial report of the fatality and a full investigation was under way.
The death of Mrs Connor was the 22nd farm fatality this year.
Local priest, Fr John McManus said yesterday that people were numbed at the death of Mrs Connor and the serious injury to the other woman.
Fr McManus described it as a tragic loss and a huge shock to the Connor family and the community of Kilrooskey.
Mrs Connor had formerly worked at the Sacred Heart Home in Roscommon.
“The community and wider parish are very shocked. It’s a terrible tragedy. Lucy was a wonderful person and very popular in the area,” Fr McManus said. “Our hearts go out to Pat and the boys and her extended family. It’s such a sense of shock and disbelief really.”
