Second family tragedy as farmer gored to death by bull

A DAIRY farmer was gored to death by a bull on the same farm where his father was killed, it has emerged.

Tomas Tierney, 38, died last night after he was attacked on his family’s land in rural Mayo.

His father, Tom, died 19 years ago in a farming accident on the same farm in Killeenrevagh, near Ballindine, close to the county border with Galway.

“The family are just in pure shock,” said a family friend.

“It’s really hard for them to lose somebody so young.”

Mr Tierney was attacked by a Friesian bull when he entered a field to milk cows.

It is understood his mother, Pauline, raised the alarm when he didn’t return home.

Neighbours discovered the injured farmer and tried to save him before he was rushed to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar where he later died from his injuries.

Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) are investigating the accident — the 20th farm-related workplace death so far this year. Just 13 were recorded throughout 2009.

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has appealed for greater safety awareness on farms across the country. Martin Gavin, chairman of Mayo IFA, said attacks by bulls can be common.

“It’s a very, very sad situation,” said Mr Gavin.

“It must be a very traumatic time for his mother at the moment, and for other people it brings back memories. It has a whole knock-on effect.

“All our sympathies go to this family and all the others who lost lives in the last year.”

The Tierney family are said to be well known in the area.

Mr Tierney’s funeral will be held tomorrow morning in St Joseph’s Church, Carras.

Tom McHugh, Fine Gael councillor in nearby Tuam, extended his sympathies to the Tierney family.

“Everybody in the general area is quite shocked,” said Mr McHugh.

“There have been a number of accidents during this year involving farmers and bulls; unfortunately, this one is fatal.

“It’s a terrible ordeal for his family to come to terms with.”