Girl dies after walking in front of tractor driven by father

A FOUR-year-old girl died in a tragic farming accident near Milford in north Cork on Saturday evening.

Miriam Cronin was killed after she went in front of a tractor which was being driven by her father Tom at their home at Knockeragh, Tullylease, Co Cork, at around 6pm.

According to gardaí in Charleville, the little girl’s father was cutting hay and did not notice his daughter moving in front of the tractor.

Local priest Fr John Ryan said the whole community was shocked by what had happened. “It is devastating for the family and for the community,” he said.

“The community are focusing their prayers for the family.

“Mass was said for them this morning.”

The little girl is survived by her father, mother Carmel and brother Denis.

Her removal will take place from the family home tomorrow for Mass of the Angels at 2pm in St Bericheart’s Church in Tullylease and funeral afterwards to Deliga Cemetery.

A garda spokesman said they will be looking into the sudden death of the little girl but the Health and Safety Authority would carry out a more detailed look into how the accident occurred.

A total of 38 children have been killed on farms in the last 10 years, according to Teagasc. It has called for farmers to recognise that summer is a particularly dangerous time on the farm and children must be supervised at all times.

Half of the 16 people who have died in work related accidents so far in 2006 were killed on farms.

The Government last month launched a voluntary Workplace Safety Code setting out ways for employers and staff to prevent workplace accidents.