Army private, 23, dies in fall and 10-year-old boy killed by van

NEIGHBOURING north Kerry and west Limerick parishes were last night trying to come to terms with tragedies that claimed the lives of a young solider and a schoolboy.

Army private Aidan Holly, 23, from Tarbert was killed when he fell from a 90ft wall while attending the famous bullrun festival in Pamplona in Spain on Sunday.

The wall is a vantage point used by tourists during the bull run and last year an American and his Spanish girlfriend died when they fell from the same place.

Schoolboy Jeremiah Carmody, 10, died after being hit by a van near the family home at Dirreen, Athea, yesterday morning.

The accident happened at about 8am.

He was with his father and brother at the time of the accident. They were returning home after tending cattle in a field at the far side of the main road from the family home.

It is believed the family moved back from the US some years ago.

Canon Patrick Kelly said: “The little boy who died was one of seven children and the youngest is just over a year old. The family moved here some years ago when they bought a farm.”

Jeremiah had gone with his father Roger and his older brother also Roger, 12, to feed cattle. Mr Carmody and his wife Mary have two other boys and four daughters.

Private Aidan Holly joined the defence forces in July 2007 and was with the 4th Infantry Battalion at Collins Barracks, Cork.

Private Holly had travelled extensively, backpacking all over the world before embarking on a career in the army.

He is the son of Marie and Con Holly who is a supervisor with Kerry Group in Listowel. They have two other sons, David and Conor, and one daughter, Orla.

Over the past five years, the north Kerryman travelled the world before seeking out new adventure as a soldier. He recorded his adventures on his Bebo site, including his trip to the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich and Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh.

Two months ago he came second in the annual cheese rolling competition at Coopers Hill in Gloucestershire — while dressed as a clown.

Ironically, he wrote after taking part: “There are more people injured in one day here than in the whole week in Pamplona during San Fermin. Horsing yourself down a 200 metre hill in less than 15 seconds.”

Aidan also took a 12-day road trip around the west coast of the US with four pals, visiting the island prison of Alcatraz, San Francisco and Palm Springs.

He described his greatest ambition as attending the world air guitar championships in Oulu, Finland.

He had travelled to Pamplona in northern Spain last Friday with a friend for the famous running of the bulls celebration.

His friend told police they had been drinking and became separated hours before the tragedy. Mr Holly is thought to have died from a severe blow to the head during the plunge.

A spokesman for the National Police in Pamplona said: “A full investigation will be carried out under the supervision of a judge.”

Gabrielle Kiely who runs the local post office in Tarbert, which is next door to the Holly family home said: “There is a huge sadness over the whole place. Aidan was a free spirit, there’s no doubt about that and was always coming or going somewhere or other.”

Ms Kiely said Aidan had backpacked extensively to Australia, New Zealand and many other countries.

Commandant Jim Murphy of Colllins Barracks said Private Holly was on leave after completing his training.

“His untimely death has come as a huge shock to everybody here. He was MC for his platoon for their passing out parade. He was a very fine young man.”

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and the defence forces’ chief, General Dermot Earley, last night offered their condolences to the soldier’s family.

The Department of Foreign Affairs will assist with the expected repatriation of his remains in the coming days and was last night providing consular assistance to travelling companions in Spain.