Embrace FARM Remembrance Service offers comfort
The Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Abbeyleix will be the venue for the ecumenical service that will pay the deepest respects to the country’s farm accident victims.
It’s the second annual remembrance service organised by Embrace FARM — an organisation established to honour the memory of those who died and suffered serious injury in farm accidents, and to support their next of kin. The event is expected to draw close on 800 parents, children, relations and friends of victims of tragic accidents.
Among those attending the service in support of the bereaved will be Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, rugby legend and farmer John Hayes, current Irish rugby international Sean O’Brien, industry representatives, and clergy.
The event, at 2pm, is led by Embrace FARM founders Brian Rohan and his wife Norma, who launched the voluntary organisation last year, in memory of Brian’s late father, Liam, who died following an accident on the family farm in Co Laois in 2012.
This year’s event follows a dreadful year in 2014 for fatal farm accidents. Some 30 people lost their lives , an 87% increase compared to 2013.
Embrace FARM responded with a viral video campaign ‘What’s Left Behind’.
Regrettably, the death toll continues, with seven having lost their lives so far this year in farm accidents.
Announcing this year’s Remembrance Service with Embrace FARM supporter Cork dual star Briege Corkery, Mr Rohan said, “When we were here last year, we were hoping that we would see a major fall-off in farm accidents, but unfortunately the death toll continues.
“We founded the organisation principally to provide support to families, like ours, who find themselves trying to deal with the death of a loved one on a family farm.
"The Remembrance Service is the biggest opportunity of the year for us to do that, as it enables people who have that tragic common experience to come together and share their sense of loss and, indeed, memory of their loved ones.
“People get to discuss their own particular experience and, last year, so many got great comfort from just getting to talk to others who have experienced their pain.”
Many relayed harrowing stories of the practical fallout of farm fatalities.
These included financial and legal issues, particularly for widows. Those left behind will inevitably have to run the farm, and may find bank accounts frozen.
In some cases, widows are completely new to the business of farming, and have no knowledge of what to do on the farm, or how to deal with the reams of paperwork.
In a meeting with Minister Coveney last September, Brian and Norma outlined the difficulties that can arise when a farmer dies suddenly, whether as a result of a farm accident or otherwise.
They requested a liaison officer within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to assist families in dealing with the paperwork, on issues as simple as when to fill out forms and how to complete them.
The Minister granted this request within two days of the meeting.
Looking to the future, Embrace FARM aims to set up a support network around the country to help families deal with the emotional and practical issues following a farm accident.
Also speaking at the launch, Briege Corkery, who milks 500 cows twice daily with her boyfriend Diarmuid, said, “When you hear of an accident or, much worse, a fatality on a farm, it does stop you in your tracks. It is a dangerous working environment, and we all need to be so careful because of that.
So many Irish families have paid a terrible toll due to farm accidents, and the Remembrance Service is an opportunity for them to come together and have the support of each other as they think of their loved ones. Embrace FARM deserve huge credit for what they have done, and I am delighted to support them.”
The organisers have asked that those who want their loved one’s names read out to to email them at embrace.farm@gmail.com or contact them at 085-7709966
