Abbeyleix service set to remember farm death victims
The second annual Remembrance Service is expected to draw close to 800 parents, children, relations and friends of tragic accident victims from across the country.
It is being organised by Embrace FARM— a voluntary organisation established to honour the memory of those who died and suffered serious injury in farm accidents and to support their next of kin.
Among those due to attend the 2pm service at Holy Rosary Catholic Church are Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, rugby legend and farmer John Hayes, current rugby international Seán O’Brien, industry representatives and clergy.
Embrace FARM was founded last year by Brian Rohan and his wife Norma, in memory of Brian’s father Liam, who died following an accident on the family farm in Co Laois in 2012.
Some 30 people lost their lives in farm accidents in 2014, an 87% increase on the previous year. So far this year, seven more people have died in similar accidents.
Brian Rohan said they founded the organisation principally to provide support to families, like theirs, who find themselves trying to deal with the death of a loved one on a family farm. “The Remembrance Service enables people who have that tragic common experience to come together and share their sense of loss and, indeed, memory of their loved ones.”
Embrace FARM supporter and Cork football and camogie star Briege Corkery said farming is a dangerous working environment and everyone involved in it needs to be careful.
